By Hank Russell
Nassau County Legislator Carrié Solages (D-Valley Stream) set up a petition calling for County Executive Bruce Blakeman to make June 19, also known as Juneteenth, a paid holiday for Nassau County employees.
On February 2, 2022, Siela Bynoe (D-Westbury) and then-Minority Leader Kevan Abrahams introduced legislation making Juneteenth a paid holiday; however, it was never brought up for a vote.
“The Republican legislative majority and county executive refused to honor it,” said Solages, the ranking member of the Legislature’s Minority Affairs committee. “It is time for the county executive and the majority to stop being roadblocks to progress, and I encourage every Nassau County resident to sign my office’s petition calling for them to pass legislation making Juneteenth a county holiday — just like it is in our neighboring municipalities and at the state and federal levels.”
Solages launched the petition on June 13 with the goal of garnering 500 signatures. As of press time, the petition has collected 412 signatures.
Juneteenth was first celebrated on June 19, 1865 — two-and-a-half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. According to the National Museum of African American History & Culture’s website, 2,000 troops came down Galveston Bay, Texas that day and announced that the 250,000-plus slaves in the state were free by executive decree.
“Recognizing Juneteenth as an official county holiday would honor this pivotal moment in history and promote greater cultural awareness and unity within our diverse community,” the petition’s website states.
Solages said this administration is only offering “lip service” to its residents “when it comes to major cultural milestones like Juneteenth.” He added, “Rather than represent the people who elected him and do his job, the county executive has once again opted for a superficial, flashy, attention-seeking half-measure. The people of Nassau County deserve much more than just a Ja Rule concert — they demand for Juneteenth to be fully and properly recognized by their government.”
Long Island Life & Politics has reached out to the county executive’s office and the office of the Legislative Majority. They have yet to respond as of press time.