Juneteenth Day – Friday, June 19, 2020

CITY OF SOUTHPORT PROCLAMATION

 WHEREAS, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, formally abolishing slavery in the United States of America; and

WHEREAS, word about the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation was delayed some two- and one-half years, to June 19, 1865, in reaching authorities and African Americans in the South and Southwestern United States; and

WHEREAS, Emancipation Day observations are held on different days in different states in the South and Southwest, and in other parts of the nation; and

WHEREAS, June 19th has a special meaning to African Americans, and is called “JUNETEENTH” combining the words June and Nineteenth, and has been celebrated by the African American community for over 150 years; and

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Joseph P. Hatem, Mayor together with the Board of Aldermen of the City of Southport, North Carolina, do hereby declare June 19, 2020, as

JUNETEENTH

 in the City of Southport, North Carolina, and urge all citizens to become more aware of the significance of this celebration in African American History and in the heritage of our nation and City.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto set our hand and caused the seal of the City of Southport, North Carolina to be affixed this 11th day of June 2020.

 

 

 

/s/ Joseph P. Hatem, Mayor

 

 

 

/s/ Karen Mosteller, Mayor Pro Tem                            /s/ Lora Sharkey, Alderman

 

/s/ Lowe Davis, Alderman                                           /s/ Marc Spencer, Alderman

 

 

/s/ Thomas Lombardi, Alderman                                   /s/ John Allen, Alderman