We Celebrate Juneteenth
Juneteenth is an annual holiday that has been celebrated by African Americans since the late 1800s and commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. And, as of June 2021, Juneteenth is the first new federal holiday in the United States in more than three decades. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers brought news to enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas that they were now free. This news arrived two months after the Confederacy had surrendered, and roughly 2 ½ years after the Emancipation Proclamation freed slaves in the Southern states. News traveled slowly 150 years ago, but the pace of change and recognition of injustice can no longer slowly tread its righteous path. In remembrance of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and countless other Black Americans who have senselessly lost their lives over far too many years to the racism and injustice that plagues our society, this date resonates in new ways. We celebrate the progress that has been made toward a diverse, equitable and inclusive society and reaffirm our commitment to advancing these ideals in our communities. In honor of Juneteenth, Marshall Gerstein will be closed on Monday, June 20th. We are encouraging our employees to take time to pause, breathe, and self-reflect. For any pressing matters, our attorneys will be available by phone and email as needed. |