McKee pens Juneteenth as statewide holiday in Rhode Island

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — In a packed State Room, Gov. Dan McKee signed bills into law, officially recognizing Juneteenth as a statewide holiday in Rhode Island.

Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery after the Civil War in the United States.

McKee explained this will be a statewide holiday beginning next year.

“It’s a a day of memorialization, a day of commemoration,” added McKee. “In its own way, it is a solemn day as well.”

Members of the state’s delegation also joined the governor in Newport for a Juneteenth celebration.

At the state house Monday, lawmakers made clear that this is just the beginning of conversations and healing.

McKee finished, “Rhode Island will officially make crucial recognition of the horror and shame of slavery. If it makes anyone uncomfortable to hear those words, then that is why we say it.”