BUFFALO, N.Y. — Local organizers of the Juneteenth of Buffalo say they're happy to about Governor Andrew Cuomo's decision to push to make the observance a state holiday.
The governor announced during his daily news briefing that he was making Juneteenth, which takes place on June 19, a holiday for state workers this year.
He went on to explain that he intended to push legislation forward to make the day a state holiday next year.
Marcus Brown, the president of Juneteenth of Buffalo, told 2 On Your Side's Karys Belger that that this was great news and he hoped it would help grow the celebrations.
The event's public relations coordinator, Jennifer Strickland, shared a similar sentiment, adding that there was still a responsibility to educate the public about what Juneteenth means to African Americans.
"We just have to stay in that fight to make sure the information and education and enrichment of the people goes on all year-round," she said. "So it is a blessing and a joy that we will have a holiday celebrating our freedom, just like Martin Luther King has a holiday celebrating his birthday, George Washington has a holiday, and so forth."
Strickland also said the announcement is a little bittersweet and she wished the announcement was not precipitated by the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and countless others.
Content for the Juneteenth of Buffalo virtual festival will continue to be uploaded through the end of the month.
Videos are available on the website.
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