A call to action

The fight for freedom didn't end in 1865—and it's far from over today.

Pamela, Juneteenth is a day to honor the generations of Black Americans who survived the unimaginable—who fought, sometimes with hope, often with grief, for the promise of freedom long before it was recognized in law. It's also a reminder that freedom in America has always been hard-won—and far too often, withheld. On June 19, 1865, Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas and declared that over 250,000 enslaved people were finally free. That day, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, marks the moment that federal promises of freedom reached the last stronghold of slavery in the United States. Pamela, we celebrate Juneteenth not just as a historic milestone, but as a solemn reminder of how long justice can take—and how much further we still have to go. Because even now, 160 years later, Black Americans continue to face voter suppression, systemic barriers, and political exclusion engineered to weaken their voices and power. From extremist lawmakers gutting voting rights protections to efforts to whitewash history in classrooms and deny fair representation, the legacy of oppression didn't disappear—it adapted. And yet, in every state, Black-led grassroots organizations are carrying the torch forward—organizing, mobilizing, and building toward a democracy that delivers for everyone. So today, as we reflect on Juneteenth, we ask you to do more than remember. We ask you to act. Our Common Cause state teams have compiled a list of trusted Black-led democracy partners across the country. These groups are doing powerful work at the local level to protect the vote and fight for racial justice—and they need support to keep going. Please find a group near you today to make a contribution >> GET STARTED We believe it's important for groups like Common Cause to spotlight the leaders who are helping to drive this monumentally important work forward. And, we urge you to make a commitment to supporting these partners beyond just today – and beyond just a financial contribution. By volunteering our time, resources, or whatever support we can provide, we can make a powerful impact for the values we all share. We hope you have a happy Juneteenth, – The team at Common Cause Common Cause is a leader in fights that matter at the local, state, and national level. Your support helps us fight special interests, hold elected officials accountable, and build a better democracy for all Americans. DONATE Interested in volunteering with our Action Team? Sign up here. 805 15th Street, NW, Suite 800 Washington, DC 20005 202.833.1200 https://commoncause.org Common Cause's work to defend and strengthen our democracy is powered by members like you. You can use this link to unsubscribe or let us know you'd like to receive fewer emails from us.

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