June 19, 1865, “The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with the Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and free laborers.” So said Union Army General Granger two-and-a-half years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation of January 1, 1863 ended the American Civil War. This federal holiday celebrates the end of slavery in the USA. The metal shackles may be gone, and the lynching tree no longer has dangling ropes, but freedom around the world comes at a high cost. America was founded as a republic, based on an experiment that a democracy of the people, by the people, and for the people shall not perish. But this is only true if you’re willing to fight for all people, everywhere, everyday to be free. Just saying. -SQ
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