Residents of the historic Pullman neighborhood celebrate Juneteenth during a parade and кра34 block party hosted by the National A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum in Chicago on Thursday. Octavio Jones/Reuters
CNN
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For social justice activist Glenn Harris, President Donald Trump’s statement on Juneteenth, arguing there are "too many nonworking holidays in America" costing the country "billions of dollars," was no surprise.
Harris said the comments coming on the federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States were consistent with Trump’s most recent policies and practices working against people of color.
"In many ways it’s just a continuation of this administration’s attempt to erase the civil rights, free speech and literally the history of Black and brown people," said Harris, who is president of Race Forward.
Graduates celebrate as they participate in the Black Commencement at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on May 23, 2017.
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Colleges are canceling affinity graduations due to anti-DEI policies. Here is how students are preserving the traditions
Since taking office in January, the Trump administration has sought to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion practices in the federal government, corporate America and college campuses. The administration has also dismissed high-ranking minorities from the military, removed government webpages celebrating the historic achievements of people of color and accused the National Museum of African American History and Culture of being influenced by "divisive, race-centered ideology."
Trump’s attacks on DEI led some groups to scale back or cancel Juneteenth events this year.
How did Juneteenth become a federal holiday?
CNN
—
For social justice activist Glenn Harris, President Donald Trump’s statement on Juneteenth, arguing there are "too many nonworking holidays in America" costing the country "billions of dollars," was no surprise.
Harris said the comments coming on the federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States were consistent with Trump’s most recent policies and practices working against people of color.
"In many ways it’s just a continuation of this administration’s attempt to erase the civil rights, free speech and literally the history of Black and brown people," said Harris, who is president of Race Forward.
Graduates celebrate as they participate in the Black Commencement at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on May 23, 2017.
Related article
Colleges are canceling affinity graduations due to anti-DEI policies. Here is how students are preserving the traditions
Since taking office in January, the Trump administration has sought to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion practices in the federal government, corporate America and college campuses. The administration has also dismissed high-ranking minorities from the military, removed government webpages celebrating the historic achievements of people of color and accused the National Museum of African American History and Culture of being influenced by "divisive, race-centered ideology."
Trump’s attacks on DEI led some groups to scale back or cancel Juneteenth events this year.
How did Juneteenth become a federal holiday?