In states where Juneteenth is still not a day off, activists see a missed opportunity

In states where Juneteenth is still not a day off, activists see a missed opportunity

When Juneteenth became a federal holiday last year, South Carolina organizer Jamal Bradley was excited for it to finally get the recognition it deserves

When Juneteenth became a federal holiday last year, South Carolina organizer Jamal Bradley was excited for it to finally get the recognition it deserves

But his enthusiasm was quickly dashed when he learned state leaders decided not to follow suit in observing the holiday.

But his enthusiasm was quickly dashed when he learned state leaders decided not to follow suit in observing the holiday.

"It just lets me know there's still work left to do in South Carolina,

"It just lets me know there's still work left to do in South Carolina,

" said Bradley, who started a petition for Juneteenth to become a state holiday.

" said Bradley, who started a petition for Juneteenth to become a state holiday.

Also known as "Emancipation Day" or "Freedom Day," Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865 when federal troops arrived in Galveston

Also known as "Emancipation Day" or "Freedom Day," Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865 when federal troops arrived in Galveston

Texas and gave word to enslaved African Americans that they were free — more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.

Texas and gave word to enslaved African Americans that they were free — more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.

The holiday has been celebrated by many Black families for generations,

The holiday has been celebrated by many Black families for generations,

but began to gain wider attention in 2020 after the murder of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.

but began to gain wider attention in 2020 after the murder of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.

Despite the federal recognition, some Black organizers are beginning to see that local support can be a harder lift

Despite the federal recognition, some Black organizers are beginning to see that local support can be a harder lift

While every state has at some point recognized Juneteenth as a day of observance, 26 states have yet to adopt Juneteenth as a paid public holiday

While every state has at some point recognized Juneteenth as a day of observance, 26 states have yet to adopt Juneteenth as a paid public holiday

including seven former Confederate states, according to the Pew Research Center.

including seven former Confederate states, according to the Pew Research Center.

Reasons for the delay vary from state to state. In some places, it's due to lagging bureaucracy

Reasons for the delay vary from state to state. In some places, it's due to lagging bureaucracy

In other places, it's due to disputes over when to actually celebrate the holiday.

In other places, it's due to disputes over when to actually celebrate the holiday.

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