Emancipation Day celebration, June 19, 1900 held in “East Woods” on East 24th Street in Austin. UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS LIBRARIES/THE PORTAL TO TEXAS HISTORY, TEXASHISTORY.UNT.EDU /AUSTIN HISTORY CENTER/AUSTIN PUBLIC LIBRARY

“The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free...” —General Orders, Number 3; Headquarters District of Texas, Galveston, June 19, 1865

Juneteenth marks this date, June 19, 1865, when Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston to begin the Federal occupation of Texas, just a couple of months after Lee's surrender at Appomattox ended the Civil War. While the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 had ended slavery in the Confederate states, in Texas over 250,000 Blacks were still enslaved nearly two and half years later. And even after Granger issued his proclamation, Texans continued to force their now former slaves to work for them through intimidation and violence.

In Henry Louis Gates Jr.'s 2013 essay, "What is Juneteenth," he notes, "Defying confusion and delay, terror and violence, the newly 'freed' black men and women of Texas, with the aid of the Freedmen's Bureau (itself delayed from arriving until September 1865), now had a date to rally around. In one of the most inspiring grassroots efforts of the post-Civil War period, they transformed June 19 from a day of unheeded military orders into their own annual rite, 'Juneteenth,' beginning one year later in 1866."

Read Gates' essay, "What is Juneteenth," and hopefully better understand Juneteenth, and the role that Black Texans have played in making Juneteenth what is becoming, and what it must be, a national holiday. And if you can, attend one of the Juneteenth events in Plano and McKinney on Saturday that we are promoting below.

On June 15, the US Senate passed by unanimous consent a bill to mark Juneteenth as a national holiday. The bill now moves to the US House, where it will certainly pass, and will hopefully be on President Biden's desk in time to be signed by Juneteenth this year. (On Wednesday, the bill passed the House 415-14, with only Republicans voting against. Texas Reps Ronny Jackson and Chip Roy voted against. The bill heads to President Biden for signature.)

The REGISTER COLLIN campaign kicked off last weekend in Anna, Melissa, and Blue Ridge! This weekend, we will be canvassing Celina and Prosper on Saturday and Sunday, June 19 and 20. Sign up below for the time and location that best suits you! You can also sign up for canvassing events later this month.

Learn about the REGISTER COLLIN campaign.

#Blue2022 #RegisterCollin

Commissioners Court: The court returned to its pre-pandemic layout including having the speaker’s stand close to the front. While Collin County has one of the highest rates of vaccinations in Texas and the CDC rates our level of risk low, totally throwing caution to the wind seems unwise. Then again, our commissioners aren’t wise in general, so no surprise there.

After no discussion whatsoever, they unanimously passed the Rules for Decorum. Now they can shorten or lengthen the time allocated for each speaker, mandate “proper attire” (which they get to define), and hold in contempt individuals who refuse to conduct themselves with proper decorum and respect for the Court (which, again, they get to define). The Commissioner’s Court is not actually a court. It’s a legislative body, just like regular city councils and school boards which generally do not implement dress codes. The commissioners are trying to make themselves more important than they are.

The most ominous part of the Rules is where they say they will not allow anyone to insult the honesty and/or integrity of the Court, as a body, or any member or members of the Court, individually or collectively. However, in the very same paragraph, they backtrack and state that these “rules do not prohibit public criticism of the Court, as a body, or any member or members of the Court, including criticism of any act, omission, policy, procedure, program, or service.” This seems contradictory. It’s almost as if they understand the public has a constitutional right to publicly address our elected officials in order to keep them accountable and transparent but just don’t want people to talk negatively to or about them. Who are the snowflakes now? (read more)

The McKinney Area Democratic Club will be hosting two booths to commemorate Juneteenth: a booth at Finch Park from 10 am - 8 pm and a booth at Fitzhugh Park from 10 am - 2 pm. Both events will feature food and fun! The Finch Park event is sponsored by the City of McKinney. The Fitzhugh Park event is sponsored by the nonprofit H2O and will also offer Juneteenth educational opportunities. Deputy Voter Registrars will be available to register people to vote. No RSVP necessary; just show up and have fun!

When: Saturday, June 19, 2021

Where: Finch Park: 301 W Standifer Street, McKinney; 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Where: Fitzhugh Park: 700 Fitzhugh Street, McKinney; 10 a.m. - ?

Living Liberally and MADC are meeting OUTSIDE at Wing Bucket for a social get-together. If you're not vaccinated, we encourage masks (when not eating or drinking) and social distancing. Complimentary appetizers will be served, and a cash bar is available. Please RSVP so we'll order enough food. In the event of inclement weather, we will move our event inside. Please RSVP so we have a good headcount.

When: Friday, June 18, 2021 at 6 p.m.

Where: WingBucket McKinney, 3510 W. University Dr, McKinney

We'll meet online via ZOOM tele/video conferencing. You can participate using your phone or computer.

Accessibility: Notes from the organizer-- live transcription will be available.

YOU MUST REGISTER to get the Zoom meeting access link; click the Register button below.

TO VIEW THE MEETING AGENDA click the Agenda button below.

Have accessibility questions? Reply to your registration email to confirm your requirements or request more information.

Other questions? Email us at disabilitydemocrats@gmail.com or phone 307-314-ABLE (2253)

Website: collindemswithdisabilities.org

When: Monday, June 21, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Where: Virtual via Zoom

It's finally time for us all to get together again! We have so much to talk about and even more to drink about.

This month's DL event is being sponsored by The Frisco Democratic Club. Join us this Tuesday at Chito's in Frisco Square in their new private patio and lounge to celebrate all of our victories over this past year.

Small plates and appetizers will be provided so come hungry. We can't wait to see you all again and raise our glasses to democracy!

WHEN: Tuesday, June 22, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

WHERE: Chito's Mexican Restaurant & Sports Bar, Frisco

The Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy at Texas Woman's University will be hosting campaign workshops on July 14 and July 31. They are free, virtual, and nonpartisan, with an emphasis on helping women run for office.

This free, virtual workshop series will help attendees with the basics on how to prepare and run for office in Texas. The two-afternoon series will feature workshops and speakers covering topics like getting started, selecting a treasurer, profiling a district, working with political parties, getting out the vote, precinct walking, messaging, fundraising, and more. We'll have workshops with consultants, Q&As with noted officeholders, and panels with women officeholders and candidates sharing their experiences running for office.

Sign up for one afternoon or sign up both! The events are virtual via Zoom. They are open to anyone in Texas. Our schedule of events includes:

Saturday, July 17, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Session 1: First Steps

Keynote + Q&A: Delilah Agho-Otoghile, Executive Director, Harris County Democratic Party

Session 2: Party Support and the Basics of Precinct Analysis

Panel Discussion: Voter outreach and meeting your voters

Saturday, July 31, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Keynote + Q&A: Justice Eva Guzman, Texas Supreme Court

Session 3: Messaging

Panel Discussion: Media, Social Media, and Messaging

Session 4: Fundraising

To register, please visit our Eventbrite.

The CCDP physical office is closed until further notice for safety. Our office staff are, however, working for you from home and available by telephone at 972-578-1483 or contact us on the web at collindemocrats.org.

Check our Online Events!