For Immediate Release
Contact: Molly Woon
[email protected]
June 19, 2020
PORTLAND — The Democratic Party of Oregon State Central Committee, the Party’s governing body, unanimously approved two resolutions yesterday in response to worldwide demonstrations against misconduct by law enforcement and the systemic oppression of Black Americans.
“These resolutions are important because it matters that the Democratic Party speaks out against the killing of George Floyd and stands with African Americans, who live in a society where for far too long our lives are viewed as less valuable. I am extremely proud and happy that the Democratic Party of Oregon passed these resolutions unanimously and we are unapologetically acknowledging this Juneteenth that BLACK LIVES MATTER,” said Oregon DNC Member Travis Nelson, RN. Nelson wrote the resolutions in consultation with Black elected officials and many Black State Party leaders, including DPO Black Caucus Chair Rosa Colquitt, PhD, Multnomah County Democrats Vice Chair Rachelle Dixon, Shelaswau Crier, and Quinton Blanton.
The resolutions passed yesterday:
Resolution 2020-009: DECLARING THAT BLACK LIVES MATTER
Resolution 2020-010: DEMANDING JUSTICE & HONORING THE LEGACY OF GEORGE FLOYD
The passage of these resolutions coincides with today’s commemoration of Juneteenth, a day that celebrates the emancipation of the last remaining enslaved African Americans in the former Confederacy, two years after the reading of the Emancipation Proclamation.
“Among all emancipation celebrations, we are reminded that June 19th falls closest to the summer solstice, the longest day of the year when the sun, at its zenith, defies the darkness in every state, including those states shadowed by slavery,” said Colquitt. “By choosing to remember the last state in the South that freedom touched, we celebrate the shining ‘promise of emancipation’.”
For those who may want a fuller understanding of what Juneteenth means, you can read more here at the Democratic Party of Oregon Black Caucus’ page.
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