What truly makes our country great is its diversity. Iโve seen that beauty in so many ways over the years. Whether we are born here or seek refuge here, thereโs a place for us all. We must remember itโs not my America or your America. Itโs our America.
On Juneteenth, we honor the generations of Black New Yorkers whose struggle and determination brought us closer to justice.
At Foley Square, Lorenzo Pace's sculpture stands as a powerful tribute to that legacy. Our documentary explores Dr. Pace's life, his work, and his decades-long commitment to the ongoing fight for liberation.
This Juneteenth, let us not forget that pursuit of freedom is not buried in the past. It is the responsibility of our future.
Today, 161 years since the first Juneteenth celebration, we honor those who fought for freedom and remember the lasting legacy of slavery.
Black Americans continue to face systemic challenges to living in safety and dignity.
Our goal: we must end all forms of bigotry.
On June 19, 1865, African American communities in Galveston, Texas, finally learned of their freedom from slavery โ two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation took effect.
For 161 years, Juneteenth has been a day of remembrance for the freedom that was delayed. It is also a celebration of the joy and resilience that flourished despite that delay.
The contributions of African Americans, whose struggle for freedom shaped our nation, are immeasurable. Yet too many Black families continue to bear the brunt of an affordability crisis that has pushed them out of the neighborhoods and communities they've built.
True freedom has a tangible impact on daily life: the ability to afford housing, earn a living wage, put food on the table, support a family, and create a future for generations to come.
As we celebrate today, we must recommit ourselves to ensuring this freedom is fully realized.
Happy Juneteenth, New York City.