FBANC Celebrates Juneteenth
FBANC Statement Regarding Establishment of Juneteenth National Independence Day
The Filipino Bar Association of Northern California (“FBANC”) commends President Joseph Biden for signing legislation on June 17, 2021, establishing June 19 as a Federal holiday known as Juneteenth National Independence Day. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers brought the news of emancipation to enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas–nearly two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation outlawed slavery. June 19, 2021 marks 70 years of celebrating Juneteenth in San Francisco, and it is one of the largest African American celebrations in Northern California.
The establishment of Juneteenth as a Federal holiday is only a small step towards dismantling white supremacy and addressing systemic racism in this country. FBANC recognizes that although Juneteeth commemorates a historic milestine to end slavery, it should also be a celebration of freedom and hope for a more equitable union.
FBANC reaffirms our commitment to stand in solidarity with the Black community and combat racial injustice and oppression. We are cognizant that the fight against slavery has paved the way for our community and countless others to achieve freedom and equity in this nation. We must continue having important discussions about freedom and race in the United States, especially in the midst of the racial reckoning stemming from the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and countless others. FBANC encourages education about Juneteenth’s significance in the history of our country. For more information about Juneteenth, please check https://juneteenth.com/.
Contact FBANC President-Elect President Raymond Rollan raymondrollan@fbanc.org for more information.
Established in 1980, FBANC is an organization of attorneys, judges, and law students dedicated to serving the Filipino community. Through the volunteer work of its members, including lifetime members, FBANC offers various service programs, including regular, free legal clinics, professional development programs for attorneys, and mentorship for law students and young attorneys. The organization also provides a voice for and advocates on behalf of Filipino interests in various forums.