HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/28/2024 04. Draft Juneteenth Freedom Week proclamation 1
BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No. 4.
For Meeting of: May 28, 2024
ITEM TITLE: Draft Juneteenth Freedom Week proclamation
SUBMITTED BY: Dave Zabel!, Interim City Manager
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
On May 21, 2024, the Yakima County NAACP requested that a proclamation be issued
proclaiming June 10 through June 19, 2024 as Juneteenth Freedom Week in the City of Yakima.
Attached for Council review is a draft copy of the proclamation. If approved, the proclamation will
be read and presented at the June 11 study session.
This is the 32nd annual Juneteenth celebration in Yakima County and the NAACP would like to
bring awareness to the community and Valley about the now federally recognized holiday and the
meaning behind it.
ITEM BUDGETED:
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL BY THE CITY MANAGER
RECOMMENDATION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Upload Date Type
D Draft Juneteenth Freedom Week proclamation
2
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WREAS, 2024 is the 159th year ofJuneteenth 'Freedom Day, a 'Federally recognized
day which celebrates the rich culture, legacy, and heritage of African Americans in the State of
Washington and
WIFEKTAS, Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the abolition
of slavery in the VnitedStates; dating 6ackto June 19, 1865 when union soldiers led 6y Major
General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Teas with news that the Civil War was ended,
freeing all of the enslaved;giving allAfricanAmericans inAmerica an absolute equality of
personal rights and rights of property; and
Wjaga,AS, the Yakima County National Association for the Advancement of Colored
People (NAACP)is dedicated to ensuring a society in which all individuals have equal rights
without discrimination based on race; and
`W.JIE1S, the Yakima County NAACP implores the City of Yakima to ensure the
symbolic events of 1865 are not forgotten in the State of Washington.
JVO% Therefore, I, Patricia Byers, Mayor of the City of Yakima and on behalf of the
Yakima City Council, do hereby proclaim the weekof June 10 through June 19, 2024 as
jra9VETEENTH%F1 EDOJK WEEK'
throughout the City of Yakima and encourage all residents to recognize and honor the
significance of Juneteenth festivities.
Dated this 11 th day of June, 2024
Patricia Byers, Mayor