Representative Shelia Stubbs Delivers Remarks at State Capitol Juneteenth Flag Raising

MADISON, WI – Today, Representative Shelia Stubbs delivered remarks at the raising of the Juneteenth flag over the Wisconsin State Capitol. Representative Shelia Stubbs (D-Madison) released the following statement:

“It was an honor to stand beside Governor Evers and other esteemed members of the Wisconsin Legislative Black Caucus and the community today as we raised the Juneteenth flag over the Wisconsin State Capitol.

I would like to honor and thank Mrs. Annie Weatherby-Flowers, founder of the first annual Juneteenth celebration in Madison. It is thanks to her dedication that we were able to gather today and raise the flag. This is meant to be a day of joy, one where everyone should be allowed to come and share in our celebration.

I would also like to thank and honor Ms. Opal Lee, who is known as the Grandmother of Juneteenth because of her courageous walk campaign to the White House in an effort to get the holiday federally recognized.

In addition, I honor and recognize the memory of the late Dr. Reverend Ronald Myers: Father of the Modern Day Juneteenth Movement and a graduate of our flagship university, UW-Madison. Although Dr. Reverend Myers passed away before the federal recognition of the Juneteenth holiday, his legacy lives on through this and every Juneteenth observance.

On Juneteenth, we celebrate freedom. But freedom isn’t free. There is a very real cost to freedom. Freedom isn’t free. Someone died so that I would have the right to vote. Freedom isn’t free. We have fought and struggled for our freedom. History reminds me that freedom is not free. But God is good.

In this country that our ancestors built, together we are building a resilient community rooted in equity and in liberation. We are shaping our own history, and we are making our ancestors, who gave so much that we could stand here on the steps of this Capitol, proud. I wish everyone a blessed and joyful Juneteenth holiday tomorrow.”

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.