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REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION Date:November 7, 2022 Item No.:7.d Department Approval City Manager Approval Item Description: Consider Declaring Juneteenth Day (June 19) as a City Holiday 1 B ACKGROUND 2 On June 17, 2021 President Biden signed legislation declaring June 19 a federal holiday in 3 acknowledgement of Juneteenth Day. Juneteenth Day commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union 4 soldiers brought news of freedom to enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas. Juneteenth Day 5 celebrations have occurred ever since 1866, mostly by Black Americans, yet it is a day worthy of 6 commemoration as it represents a critical turning point in American history, not just Black history. 7 The first Juneteenth Day event in Roseville was initiated in 2017 by Do Good Roseville. For the 8 past two years, the City has provided resources to help support the event. 9 On Juneteenth Day, federal offices are closed, many banks are closed, and there is no U.S. Mail 10 delivery. The State of Minnesota has not yet declared Juneteenth Day as a holiday. As a result, 11 many local governments in Minnesota have declared a Juneteenth Day as a local holiday. To-date, 12 these local governments include: Maplewood 13 St. Paul St. Louis Park (starting in 2023) 14 Minneapolis Hopkins (starting in 2023) 15 Bloomington Ramsey County 16 Brooklyn Center Hennepin County 17 Richfield Olmstead County 18 Lindstrom Carver County EDA 19 Duluth St. Paul School District 20 Cottage Grove Minneapolis School District 21 Edina 22 E QUITY C ONSIDERATIONS 23 According to the 2020 American Community Survey produced by the U.S. Census Bureau, 8% of 24 Roseville’s population (2,886 residents) identify as Black. An additional 6.6% identify as two races. 25 However, the recognition of Juneteenth Day is not merely an opportunity to celebrate a milestone 26 event in Black history, but an opportunity to recognize a critical turning point in American history. It 27 provides context as a considerable and formative part of American history that still informs debates, 28 policies and practices we have today. Juneteenth serves as a celebration of progress made toward 29 freedom and rights, and a reminder of the work still necessary to ensure and equitable future for all. 30 31 Juneteenth Day has been celebrated since 1866, however it has not been recognized by Federal, 32 State, and Local governments until recently. The legacy and trauma of slavery continue to directly 33 impact Black individuals and the Black community. The Federal Government, States (including 34 Minnesota), and local governments (including Roseville) have for many years maintained laws, 35 policies, programs, and systems that directly discriminated againstblack, indigenous, and persons of Page 1 of 2