DNC Chair Jaime Harrison and DNC Black Caucus Chair Virgie M. Rollins released the following statement to commemorate the 159th anniversary of Juneteenth:

“Today, we celebrate the 159th anniversary of America’s second Independence Day, Juneteenth. On June 19, 1865 — two years after the Emancipation Proclamation — Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, to formally inform enslaved people of their long-awaited freedom. Juneteenth marks an important historical milestone in Black Americans’ struggle for freedom and honors the power of our ancestors, who fought for a fairer, more just world.

“As we celebrate Juneteenth and reflect on the resilience of Black Americans, we must recognize that the struggle for Black liberation is not confined to any particular moment but rather an ongoing, long-term movement for civil rights. We must be the civil rights leaders of our generation and continue the journey toward freedom and equality that started long before us.

“There is only one ticket in this race who will walk alongside us: President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. The Biden-Harris administration’s first term has been filled with promises made and promises kept, and they have proven their commitment to achieving justice and equality for Black Americans. President Biden has appointed more Black judges to the federal bench than any previous president in a single term, including the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court — Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. Under his leadership, Black child poverty was cut in half during his first year in office, and the federal government invested an unprecedented $16 billion in support for HBCUs.

“As for Donald Trump, he referred to white supremacists as ‘my people’ and attacks DEI efforts across the country. His policies aren’t for the Black community, and contrary to what he has said, he isn’t looking out for us. Meanwhile, with four more years in office, President Biden and Vice President Harris will continue to deliver life-changing policies for Black Americans. With Democrats nationwide by their side, they will continue to work towards the more perfect union that the Black community was promised on Juneteenth. That’s why, on Election Day, we must vote once again to make our country a land of opportunity for all, not just for a particular few.”