Juneteenth flag to fly over state Capitol for first time
MADISON - Democratic Gov. Tony Evers announced Wednesday that the Juneteenth flag will be raised over the Wisconsin Capitol for the first time in state history beginning at sunrise Friday.
The flag commemorating the end of slavery in the United States will fly over the Capitol’s east wing, replacing for a day the rainbow Pride Flag recognizing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender pride.
Evers in a statement noted Wisconsin has “some of the most disparate outcomes” for Black people and said it is important to recognize the state’s history and move forward toward “a more racially equitable and just society.”
Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day, is celebrated June 19. People in Madison and Milwaukee are organizing various events to recognize the day.
The day is formally recognized and celebrated in 47 states and the District of Columbia. Wisconsin in 2009 became the 32nd state to recognize Juneteenth.
Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, Wisconsin’s first Back lieutenant governor, said the Juneteenth celebration is particularly significant this year in the wake of the death of George Floyd, a Black man, at the hands of Minneapolis police. Floyd’s death has reignited a global call for the end of discrimination and police brutality.
“We have won significant freedoms since 1619, but our work will not be over until all Black lives matter by way of equity and the opportunity to thrive,” Barnes said in a statement.
The U.S. flag and Wisconsin state flag will continue flying on the east wing flagpole above the Juneteenth flag. The POW-MIA flag will continue flying on the north wing flagpole, as it does every day.
In Milwaukee, a Juneteenth Day flag will fly over a city building at 809 N. Broadway, according to Ald. Chantia Lewis.
“It will be the first time the flag has been displayed at a City of Milwaukee government building, and I am working to see if it can be flown next year on the flag pole high atop the bell tower of our historic City Hall,” Lewis said in a statement.
On Monday, Milwaukee County officials announced that June 19 would become a floating holiday for county employees in recognition of Juneteenth.