VA Governor Proposes Juneteenth Be Recognized As State Holiday

RICHMOND, VA — Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam said Tuesday he will propose legislation to make Juneteenth, a celebration observed June 19 commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, recognized as a paid state holiday.

Northam made the announcement at a news conference in Richmond alongside state political leaders and Virginia Beach native and musician Pharrell Williams.

Starting Friday, Juneteenth will be a paid holiday for members of the executive branch of Virginia, Northam said. If the proposed measure is approved by the state Legislature, Virginia would be the second state after Texas to recognize Juneteenth as a paid state holiday.

"By commemorating it, we push people to think about the significance of Juneteenth," the governor said. "Why does it matter? It mattered then because it marked the end of slavery in the United States, but it matters now because it says to black communities this is not just your history. This is everyone's shared history, and we recognize it together."

Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 when news of the Emancipation Proclamation made it to the slave-holding state of Texas. Union soldiers, led by Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger, arrived at Galveston with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free.

This announcement comes almost two weeks after Northam announced the state will remove the statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee on Monument Avenue in Richmond. Earlier this year, the governor also signed a bill to end a state holiday that celebrated Confederate generals — Lee-Jackson Day — and make Election Day a state holiday in its place.

Northam said at the news conference that the history taught by Virginia schools is insufficient when it comes to black and indigenous history. The governor said he attended a virtual meeting of the Commission on African American History Education on Monday and that the commission is looking at "how we can better teach our full history."

"We must remember that black history is American history," he said.

Charniele Herring, who became Virginia's first African American House majority leader and represents parts of Alexandria and Fairfax County, said Virginia and the nation are at a crossroads.

"I encourage every Virginian no matter your race to treat Juneteenth as a time for reflection, conversation and, most importantly, action," she said at the news conference. "It is time that we reassess the core components of our society and ensure that it is fair, equitable and just for everyone."

Williams, whose ancestors were enslaved, said he had called the governor in support of making Juneteenth a state holiday. He also called on Virginia-based companies to set a standard by offering employees a paid day off that would correspond to Northam's proposed legislation.

"Our country excels, and I mean excels, at celebrating Independence Day. But it's not perfect," Williams said. "Juneteenth deserves the same level of recognition and celebration. July 4, 1776, not everybody was free and celebrating their Independence Day. So here's our day. And if you love us, it will be your day, too."

Williams said making Juneteenth a state holiday would not represent the end of the effort for racial justice. "This is the beginning of something much bigger and much greater," he said.

Williams also saluted the young people who have been leading many of the protests and demonstrations across the country against racial injustice and police brutality. "I'm really proud that they are grabbing the bull by the horn," he said.

Northam said he plans to look at video of police using force against protesters opposed to police brutality in Richmond over the past couple of nights. On Monday night, Richmond police, with assistance from the Virginia State Police, fired chemical spray, flash-bang grenades and rubber bullets at protesters gathered outside Richmond police headquarters.

"I've seen some troubling videos of the interactions. And we’re going to take a look at these incidents. I am committed to addressing use-of-force protocols across the board," Northam said.

"These have been a tumultuous few weeks in Virginia and in our nation. The protests and demonstrations set off by the killing of George Floyd and others, unfortunately, continue," the governor said. "It is important that we hear these voices and listen to what they're saying. They're saying it's time for an end to racial violence and systemic injustice. They're saying it's time to take a new look at how our systems and institutions work or don't work for black people, Latino people, Asian people, Native American people, and people with disabilities."

Patch editor Emily Leayman assisted in the reporting of this story.

RELATED:

• Time Is Right For 'Serious Reform' Of Police Departments: Northam
• Northam Orders Removal Of Gen. Robert E. Lee Statue In Richmond
• Fredericksburg Official Blames 'Bad Actors' For Angry Protest