HomeMy Public PortalAbout06132023 Juneteenth Proclamation
Juneteenth
WHEREAS, on New Year’s Day, January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed the
Emancipation Proclamation, providing that all persons held as slaves, within any State or
designated part of a State “shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free;” and
WHEREAS, although the Emancipation Proclamation came two and a half years earlier,
many enslavers continued to hold enslaved Black people captive after the announcement
and on June 19, 1865, the last group of enslaved people in Texas were informed of their
liberation and Juneteenth became a symbolic date representing African American freedom;
and
WHEREAS, in order that we may never forget the evils of slavery and its aftermath, we
acknowledge the injustices and suffering those experienced under slavery; and
WHEREAS, we recognize the significance of Juneteenth and the importance of continuing
to engage in dialogue on race relations to promote racial healing, reconciliation, and
justice; and
WHEREAS, we acknowledge the Black and African American experience and during this
Juneteenth, celebrate the past, present, and future achievements and contributions of
Black and African Americans to our communities and country.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Mason Thompson, Mayor of the City of Bothell, do hereby proclaim
June 19, 2023 to be Juneteenth in the City of Bothell to promote healing, justice, and unity
by recognizing the painful origins of this day, and celebrate the inclusion of all races,
ethnicities, and nationalities as we reaffirm our commitment to working toward equitable
experiences and opportunities for all those in our community.
Signed this 13th day of June, 2023.
_____________________________
Mason Thompson, Mayor
Mason Thompson (Jun 13, 2023 20:28 PDT)
Mason Thompson