Juneteenth: A Shared History of Freedom and Struggle

Today marks Juneteenth, the day in 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to enforce the emancipation of enslaved individuals, over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. For those last enslaved men, women, and children held in bondage in the Confederacy, this day symbolized the end of legalized slavery and the beginning of a long and ongoing journey toward justice.

However, nearly two decades earlier, on July 3, 1848, a significant moment in the fight for freedom occurred in the Virgin Islands, then the Danish West Indies. Thousands of enslaved individuals on the island of St. Croix gathered at Fort Frederik, led by Moses Gottlieb, also known as “General Buddhoe.” With discipline and determination, men, women, and children marched to demand their freedom. This was not a riot but an organized and resolute call for justice. In response to their unified stand, Governor-General Peter von Scholten proclaimed emancipation across the Danish West Indies. This act was not a gesture of goodwill but a recognition of the undeniable will of a people who had taken their destiny into their own hands.

Yet, as with Juneteenth, the freedom achieved on that day in 1848 was incomplete. The fight for justice and equality continued. In 1878, when oppressive labor laws and broken promises perpetuated a new form of bondage, the Queens of Fireburn — Queen Mary, Queen Agnes, Queen Mathilda, and Queen Susannah — rose to lead the next chapter of resistance. These women, armed with education, intellect, and fierce determination, fought for the dignity and rights of their people. Their courage serves as a reminder that true freedom requires not only the removal of chains but also the establishment of justice, dignity, and opportunity for all.

As the Virgin Islands honors Juneteenth, we stand in solidarity with those in the United States who commemorate this day. We recognize their struggle and reflect on our own history of resilience and courage. Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom won through determination and bravery, but it is also a call to action. It reminds us that the work of liberty and equality is ongoing and that we must continue to build a future where justice and opportunity are accessible to all.

Let us honor the legacy of those who came before us by continuing their fight for a better tomorrow. The shoulders we stand on have carried the weight of progress, and now it is our turn to plant the seeds of change for future generations.

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