Elorza signs executive order to make Juneteenth an official Providence holiday

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE)- Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza signed an executive order on Tuesday, officially making Juneteenth a city holiday.

The holiday celebrates the end of slavery in the United States and is celebrated in 46 of the 50 states.

“Juneteenth serves as a reminder to all Americans about the horrors of slavery, celebrates the emancipation of all slaves in the United States, and provides a forum for open honest dialogue around what measures are still needed in order to ensure equality and opportunity for the African-American community,” the executive order read.

All City of Providence employees will be compensated for the holiday.

This year, Juneteenth falls on a Saturday, employees will get the paid day off on Friday instead.

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