Ahead of Juneteenth, congressional lawmakers again seek to remove exception for slavery from US Constitution A group of Democratic lawmakers has reintroduced a joint resolution to negate a clause in the 13th Amendment of the Constitution that permits slavery or involuntary servitude “as a punishment for crime.” The “Abolition Amendment” was introduced on Wednesday ahead of Juneteenth – the national holiday commemorating the end of slavery – by Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon, Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey and Rep. Nikema Williams of Georgia. The 13th Amendment presently says, “Neither slavery nor involuntary [...]
Happy Juneteenth!
Happy Juneteenth! Every year on June 19th many in our country celebrate a significant day of liberation in African American History. 155 years ago, today, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, Union General Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas bringing news of the end of the Civil War. General Granger Proclaimed “All slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves”, and while this statement only partially rang true, and we continue to fight for racial equity today, [...]