TCC signs proclamation recognizing Juneteenth

The Toccoa City Commission signed a Proclamation recognizing Juneteenth during its regular scheduled meeting on Monday.

Toccoa Mayor Jeanette Jamieson read the proclamation to the Commission for their consideration.

“Whereas, Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is celebrated each year on June 19^th in the United States of America to commemorate the end of slavery; and whereas, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on New Year’s Day in 1863, which ordered the freeing of all slaves in states that were rebelling against Union Forces; and whereas, the Emancipation proclamation had little effect in Texas, where there were few Union troops to enforce the order; and whereas, the message of freedom finally reached African Americans in Texas on June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger, backed by nearly 2,000 troops, arrived in the City of Galveston to make the announcement; and whereas, Georgia recognizes Juneteenth as the oldest known celebration commemorating the end of slavery; and whereas, on June 17, 2021, President Joseph Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, which established Juneteenth as an official federal holiday; and whereas, the City of Toccoa is proud to stand with the State of Georgia and the United States of America in commemorating Juneteenth as a declaration that all Americans and all peoples of the world have the natural right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; and whereas, this declaration is built upon centuries of the struggle by African Americans for civil rights, equity, equality, and justice, both in the State of Georgia and throughout the United States; and whereas, the City of Toccoa recommits itself on this Juneteenth to celebrating the Americans that have dedicated themselves to ensuring that the founding ideal of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness applies to all Americans.”

The Proclamation recognizes Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, as being celebrated each year on June 19 in the United States of America to commemorate the end of slavery.

Representing the Toccoa Improvement Association, Inger Neal says TIA is appreciative of Jamieson and Commissioner Gail Fry’s support.

“Thank you, Mayor Jamieson, for this proclamation. I would like to say ‘thank you,’ on behalf of Toccoa Improvement Association. Our Juneteenth celebration, this was our first annual, and we do say annual. We intend to do this every year following this year. Mayor Jamieson, we cannot express our gratitude for your genuineness, for always willing to see us as a community, and Commissioner Gail Fry, we also want to recognize you and your commitment and your genuine behavior to always see us as a part of this community. And we should only hope that the rest of our city commissioners will soon be granted among that same commitment and statement,” she said.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, Neal approached the podium to ask what it would take to receive the full commission’s support in planning the second annual Juneteenth Celebration slated for 2023.

“As far as the Juneteenth Celebration and the importance of it, and with the City of Toccoa. How do we work together (with the City Commission) as a community to celebrate a holiday that has a meaning for all of us? When we’re looking at our heritage, when we’re looking at our history as a nation, as a community, this holiday impacts all of us, it’s part of who we are, it’s part of our lineage, it’s part of our family heritage. How do we work together? It was very disappointing this year, in our attempts to work with the city,” she said.

Jamieson explained that this could potentially be something that the mayor work with the TIA on.

“I think that the thing to do would be for you (Neal) or whoever will be representing your group to meet with Billy (Morse, city manager) and the mayor and lay it out what you would like to have. Then, if you have a particular group you would like to have perform…and if we talked about it in January or February that should be plenty of time to get that group here. Now, I’m not speaking for the mayor-to-be, but, maybe if we would actually get together a little earlier to see what our role is and how we can fill it,” Jamieson said.

No further action was taken following the public comment period.