Mayor Kenney Declares Juneteenth An Official City Holiday

Juneteenth commemorates the ending of slavery in America.

THE PROTESTERS WANT CITY COUNCILTO DEFUND THE POLICE AND DIVERTMONEY TO THE PHILADELPHIACULTURAL FUND.NEW TONIGHT MAYOR JIM KENNEYANNOUNCED HE IS DESIGNATINGJUNETEENTH AS AN OFFICIAL CITYHOLIDAY.THIS FRIDAY ALL CITY OFFICES ANDFACILITIES WILL BE CLOSED TO THEPUBLIC.THE HOLIDAY COMMEMORATES THEENDING OF SLAVERY IN AMERICA.THE MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENT COMESAFTER THE PHILADELPHIA'S SCHOOLDISTRICT JOINED A GROWING LISTOF INSTITUTIONS CLOSING ONFRIDAY.THE SCHOOL DISTRICT SAYS IT ISCLOSING IN THE SPIRIT OFSOLIDARITY AND THEIR CONTINUEDCOMMITMENT TO ANTI RACISM.