Political Rewind: 156 Years Later, Juneteenth Receives Bipartisan Backing To Become Federal Holiday

Political Rewind

Thursday on Political Rewind: The bill to establish Juneteenth as a federal holiday now awaits President Joe Biden’s signature. June 19 is set to become a federally recognized commemoration of the emancipation of slaves in the United States. It will become the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was created in 1983. The measure won overwhelming bipartisan support in the Senate and House, including from Georgia’s congressional delegation. Only Athens Republican Rep. Andrew Clyde voted against the bill. Meanwhile, a number of cities across Georgia are planning their first Juneteenth celebrations this year. The list of cities includes Kennesaw, a community once known for its embrace of the Confederate past. At the same time, Georgia faith leaders and activists say there is more work to be done in establishing racial justice. A group has traveled to Washington, D.C., to lobby Congress to pass HR 4, also known as the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Panelists: Dr. Andra Gillespie — Professor of Political Science and Director, James Weldon Johnson Institute for the Study of Race and Difference, Emory University Rep. Teri Anulewicz — State Representative (D) Smyrna Leo Smith — GOP Strategist and President, Engaged Futures Kevin Riley — Editor, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution