FORT WORTH, TX — Friday, June 19, State Rep. James Talarico joined Dr. Opal Lee’s annual “Walk for Freedom.” The 2.5-mile walk commemorates the official end of slavery in the United States after Union troops arrived in Galveston to deliver the news of President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation — 2.5 years after the document was signed. Dr. Lee, who led the movement to make Juneteenth a federal holiday by walking from Fort Worth, Texas to Washington, D.C., has dedicated her life to the pursuit of freedom and justice.
“This Juneteenth, Texans commemorate 161 years since the last enslaved Americans were finally informed of their freedom by Union troops in Galveston, Texas. As we march today in Fort Worth, we’re reminded of the rich history in our state made by trailblazers like Dr. Opal Lee and their immeasurable commitment to the cause of freedom,” said Rep. Talarico. “It’s incumbent upon all of us to heed her example as we continue the fight to take power back for working people. That fight is far from over, but Texans have always come together in the pursuit of freedom.”
Read more about the march in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
- “[Talarico] told the Star-Telegram this holiday is a reminder that ‘every generation has to continue to fight for freedom.’”
- James Talarico: “This is Texas history, it’s a reminder that that freedom is a Texas value, and that the fight for freedom is long, but when we fight together, we can win, and I think we need that message now more than ever.”
- “He added that he is inspired by Opal Lee’s joy. ‘What strikes me about her is how she is still so joyful. After 99 years, after doing this work for decades, she still finds that joy to wake up every morning and fight for freedom and fight for justice, and I felt like we could all learn a lesson from her about how to do this work joyfully,’ Talarico said.”
- Talarico recently sat down with Dr. Lee to hear about her rich history of activism. “I’m gonna keep on walking to show some youngsters how it’s done,” she told him.
