Juneteenth Now an Official Paid City Holiday in SF
Today, following President Biden’s declaration of Juneteenth as a federal holiday, Mayor London Breed declared by proclamation that Juneteenth will be a recognized legal holiday for all City employees.
Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in the United States and specifically 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.
According to a memo issued by the City of San Francisco on Thursday afternoon, the declaration takes effect immediately and the City will observe the Juneteenth holiday tomorrow, June 18, 2021.
Since Juneteenth falls on a Saturday this year, it will be recognized tomorrow, June 18th. Due to the short notice, City Hall will remain open with minimal staffing to continue providing services. For more information, please visit https://t.co/vEEorIwpGj or call 311.
— London Breed (@LondonBreed) June 17, 2021
Pursuant to the Administrative Code, when a holiday falls on a weekend, and the City observes the holiday on a weekday, City offices must remain open with minimum staffing.
As a result, this Friday, June 18, 2021 will be the observed holiday for all city employees
As President Biden signs the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, officially making Juneteenth a national holiday, America is taking a step forward not only in reckoning with our history of slavery, but celebrating the ongoing struggle for equality.
— London Breed (@LondonBreed) June 17, 2021
