On Wednesday, County Supervisor candidate Joel Anderson was joined by Lemon Grove Mayor Racquel Vasquez in proposing that the County of San Diego adopt Juneteenth as an official county holiday.
Mayor Vasquez is the first black woman to be Mayor of Lemon Grove and in the County of San Diego, and has long been an influential leader in the African American community. Her support for this effort is instrumental and she will also be placing a Juneteenth holiday discussion on the Lemon Grove City Council Agenda.
“As a leader during these challenging times, declaring Juneteenth a county day of service will be an integral step to continue the fight for equality, while also uniting communities throughout San Diego County,” said Mayor Vasquez.
Anderson has long been a vocal advocate of law enforcement and public safety, noting that fostering communication and understanding within communities will bring San Diegans together. He has received the Martin Luther King Bridge Builder award and has been recognized for his support of the Tuskegee airmen veterans.
“While setting official holidays like Juneteenth do not in themselves solve problems of racial inequity, they give us the time to pause, reflect, discuss and consider what actions we should take,” said Anderson.
Both Anderson and Vasquez felt the time was right for elected officials of all races and political parties to come together to push initiatives which highlight past racism, and develop pathways to greater understanding and equality.
“It was two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, on June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers in Galveston, Texas, informed the enslaved black people that they were free. This date is significant, it began our journey for inclusion, civil, legal, and human rights for all Americans,” Vasquez explained. “As we move forward it is important that we keep the lessons and fight for equality alive, and the declaration of Juneteenth as a county wide holiday is an important way to do just that.”
