Rep. Ellison Statement on Juneteenth

Statement

Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) released the following statement today on Juneteenth.

"150 years ago today, the enslaved African Americans living in Galveston, Texas finally received news that the Union had defeated the Confederacy and won the Civil War. The Black families of Galveston danced in the streets when they were liberated. As we observe this Juneteenth, painful reminders of the legacy of slavery are still in our midst.

"Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, the site of the mass murder of Black worshippers this week, has a tremendous history of liberation and freedom. The parishioners of Emanuel AME Church, for ages, have stepped forward to eradicate racism and hate in our country. Nine of them paid the ultimate price for freedom Wednesday night.

"This Juneteenth we remember the nine lives taken from us by racist violence in Charleston: Cynthia Hurd, Susie Jackson, Ethel Lance, Rev. DePayne Middleton-Doctor, The Honorable Rev. Clementa Pinckney, Tywanza Sanders, Rev. Daniel Simmons Sr., Rev. Sharonda Singleton, and Myra Thompson. I know you're dancing in the streets of heaven today, arm-in-arm with those famous residents of Galveston."

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