Chester County Commissioners recognize Juneteenth with proclamation – Daily Local

Chester County Commissioners Marian Moskowitz (center) and Josh Maxwell (back right) present a Juneteenth Proclamation to members representing countywide Juneteenth planning groups: Mayor Lillian DeBaptise of West Chester (front left), Theresa Thornton of Black Light Projects of Phoenixville (front right) and Alex Parham of Voices Underground (back left). Alice Hammond, NAACP West Chester President unable to join due to Canadian smoke wildfire issues.

WEST CHESTER—The Chester County Commissioners presented a proclamation to Mayor Lillian DeBaptiste in recognition of Juneteenth at Thursday’s meeting.

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the date on which enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, finally received news from Union soldiers that they were free—2 ½ years after the Emancipation Proclamation and 2 months after the end of the Civil War.

“Red is the color of Juneteenth,” DeBaptiste said. “It symbolizes bloodshed, lives lost.

“The story of Juneteenth is American History, it is Chester County history. Right here in Chester County, on this sacred soil, the history of Juneteenth converges. Homes were opened, enslaved people linked with free people. The Underground Railroad flourished and the journey towards freedom continued forward.”

DeBaptiste suggested to make Juneteenth a day to bask in history.

“Come see the messages in the material at the quilt exhibition, taste the food that fed the souls of enslaved people, hear the freedom songs sung as they journeyed and feel the heart and celebration of Juneteenth expressed through dance,” the mayor said. “Juneteenth is one of the quintessential stories of America.”

The proclamation was signed by all three commissioners, Marian Moskowitz, Josh Maxwell and Michelle Kichline, along with County Administrator Bobby Kagel:

“WHEREAS: The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania was a leader in abolitionism, being the first to pass the Act for Gradual Abolition of Slavery in 1780; and

WHEREAS: The Act was a testament to the attitude of cooperation and cultural respect that existed in the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS: Juneteenth – also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day – is the oldest known celebration of the end of slavery in America, which was marked by the announcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865; and

WHEREAS: Chester County acknowledges and upholds the principles of freedom and equity, is dedicated to seeking diversity and inclusion within the community, and encourages leaders in every community in the nation and the world to take action to ensure justice and equality for everyone.

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Board of Commissioners, County of Chester, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, hereby proclaims the Celebration of Juneteenth in Chester County on June 19, 2023, and in so doing, calls upon all residents to mark this annual observance as an opportunity to unify everyone and recognize the importance of upholding a nation that embraces the self-evident truth that all people are created equal.”