Rep. Moore Statement on Juneteenth
Tuesday,
June 19, 2018
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04) released the following statement in commemoration of Juneteenth:
"Milwaukee has a long and rich tradition of elevating the song of emancipation to echo across the nation. Our Juneteenth day of jubilee is much more than a celebration of progress, it is a living memorial of the ongoing fight for freedom from oppression. This joyous day is an essential part of historicizing and empowering our sustained struggle. "It's been 153 years since the Union Army arrived in Texas with the news that enslaved Americans would be freed from the chains of captivity, yet Black children continue to grow up in a system that devalues them. Across the United States, Black babies die at a rate twice as high as that of white babies. 1 in 9 Black children has an incarcerated parent. Only 76% of Black students graduate on time, compared with 88% of white students. Meanwhile, President Trump and his administration are deepening these divides by causing health insurance premiums to skyrocket, undoing sentencing reform, and undermining public education programs. “For the sake of our children and the future of our society, we must resist those who stand in the way of progress and fight back against regressive policies. Until all of our nation’s leaders accept the role oppression has played in erecting this country and commit to policies that liberate all Americans, these injustices will persist. Today and every day, let us honor the vitality of our people, stand united against bigotry, and continue our struggle for justice.”
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