Officials have announced that government offices and the courts will be closed tomorrow in recognition of Juneteenth.
Juneteenth, which commemorates the emancipation of the last enslaved African Americans in the United States is considered the longest-established African American holiday, said Wilmington’s Mayor Mike Purzycki.
The Delaware Judiciary also announced Thursday that Delaware Courts will be closed after Governor John Carney ordered government offices closed on Friday, June 19.
In a statement released by the courts, Chief Justice Collins J. Seitz, Jr. indicated new initiatives and updates on current projects will be forthcoming.
“In the days to come we’ll be sharing updates on current projects and new initiatives to help us live up to our responsibility to provide equal and impartial justice under the law,” said Seitz.
In his announcement on Facebook Carney said “I believe the least that each of us can do is commit to learning the lessons of our history. The good and the bad.”
This holiday offers an opportunity to encourage open dialogue, and to recommit to treating one another with more respect, added Carney.
County Executive Matt Meyer declared Juneteenth a New Castle County holiday.
“It’s my honor to declare June 19th a holiday to recognize the Juneteenth celebration, here in New Castle County,” County Executive Meyer said. “This Friday, we join together as one County to celebrate this critical day in United States history – the announcement of the abolition of slavery in the State of Texas and the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans throughout the former Confederate States of America. We must do more, and we will do more to ensure equality and equity in our society and across our County.”