Governor Janet Mills issued the following statement on Juneteenth:
“The end of slavery was made possible by the courage and sacrifice of nearly 200,000 former enslaved and free African Americans who fought for freedom and liberty alongside their fellow Union soldiers,” said Governor Janet Mills. “While we have made progress in the long march to create a more perfect union since that fateful day, progress is by no means inevitable. On this Juneteenth, as the drumbeat of hate and fear grows across the country in the face of great injustices, let us renew our commitment to fighting for a state and nation where equality, freedom, and justice for all is more than an ideal, it is a reality. As your Governor and as someone who cares deeply about the people of Maine, I remain committed to defending the lives, integrity, and equality of all our citizens.”