THE FOLLOWING RELEASE IS FROM CONGRESSWOMAN ROBIN KELLY’S OFFICE
MATTESON, ILL. – U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) released the following statement recognizing Juneteenth, which marks 160 years since enslaved Black Americans were officially freed:
“Juneteenth is a powerful day to reflect on the progress Black Americans have made to overcome racial barriers. This country was built on the backs of Black people, and then we continued to bleed and fight for our civil rights – from Selma to Little Rock to Pullman in Chicago.
“Right now, our basic rights are under attack by a king-wannabe in the White House who wants to erase our history, our legacy, and our civil rights heroes who died for our freedom. Our healthcare is on the chopping block, costs of living are too high, gun violence kills far too many, police brutality threatens public safety, and our immigrant neighbors live in fear of illegal deportation and detention. This Juneteenth, I bear in mind that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere – and we have work to do to achieve freedom for everyone.”