Confederate Memorial Day is a state holiday in South Carolina. Unfortunately, Juneteenth is not a state holiday in South Carolina. This day has historical significance to the entire state of South Carolina deep in tradition on both sides of slavery. A balance of such history should be celebrated by all. The descendants of slaves have to make a choice between making a living for their family during Juneteenth or celebrating a historical time that allowed them to be free today.

Juneteenth today, celebrates African American freedom and achievement, while encouraging continuous self-development and respect for all cultures. As it takes on a more national, symbolic and even global perspective, the events of 1865 in Texas are not forgotten, for all of the roots tie back to this fertile soil from which a national day of pride is growing.

We the voting people, your constituents, of South Carolina respectfully request from all elected officials of the South Carolina legislature to make Juneteenth, June 19th of the calendar year, an official holiday in the state of South Carolina. We would like to see a bill initiated as soon as possible. The template has been set; On January 1, 1980, Juneteenth became an official state holiday through the efforts of Al Edwards, an African American state legislator. The successful passage of this bill marked Juneteenth as the first emancipation celebration granted official state recognition. We the African Americans, the people of long suffering in the state of South Carolina at the hands of the confederacy, require our day of liberation to be fully recognized just as the Confederacy who fought so hard to preserve us not have  any liberation.

THESE ARE OUR VOICES AND OUR VOTES!