Juneteenth, a day of celebration, commemorates Gen. Gordon Granger’s announcement in Galveston, Texas (on June 19, 1865) that the Civil War had ended and that enslaved Black people in the state were free. The announcement finally put the Emancipation Proclamation into effect some two and a half years after it was issued.
As a firm, we have committed to take action to address issues of systemic racial injustice. Accordingly, Stroock will observe Juneteenth as a firm holiday this Friday, June 19th. Our sincere hope is that each of us will use the time to break from our current routines and reflect on the deep wounds of racial injustice in the United States. As the nation continues to grapple with the repercussions of slavery, Juneteenth takes on greater significance this year.
Please visit www.Juneteenth.com to learn more about the holiday. Please also see Stroock’s Allyship & Antiracism Resource Kit for ways to advance our mission of promoting antiracism, allyship, empathy and support for our colleagues at Stroock.