Minneapolis City Council Moving To Make Juneteenth A City Holiday

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The Minneapolis City Council is considering making Juneteenth a city holiday.

Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, celebrates the emancipation of the last slaves in the United States after the Civil War.

The city council hopes to expedite the process so that the holiday can be celebrated this year on June 19.

"This is a huge step forward for our city, for the African American employees of the city," said councilmember Andrea Jenkins, during a virtual meeting Friday. "I'm just really proud that our city is considering this and brining this issue forward."

A public hearing on the issue is scheduled for May 12.