October 12, 2016
Sen. Taylor to join 90-year-old walking across America to make Juneteenth a national holiday
(MADISON) –Today, Senator Taylor (D-Milwaukee) announced she’d be joining Opal Lee, a 90-year-old woman marching across America to make Juneteenth a national holiday. Taylor, the author of the law making Juneteenth a holiday in Wisconsin, invites media and the public to participate and cover this campaign. Juneteenth, or “Freedom” Day commemorates the official end of American slavery when on June 19, 1865 the final slaves were freed by Union soldiers in Galveston, TX. Opal plans to walk approximately 1,400 miles from her home to Washington, DC.
In addition to walking with Lee, Senator Taylor announced she will propose a constitutional amendment in the next legislative session to ban slavery in Wisconsin. The proposed amendment would strike language that currently allows slavery and involuntary servitude for those convicted of a crime.
Who: Opal Lee and Senator Lena Taylor
What: March across America for Juneteenth Holiday
Where: Northcott Neighborhood House
2460 N. 6th Street, Milwaukee, WI
When: Thursday, October 13, 2016 @ 3:45pm
Members of the media can learn more about Lee’s walk at www.OpalsWalk2DC.com. The site includes background on Juneteenth, media coverage of her walk and an online petition. Lee will be available for interviews after 3:45pm.
