Statement by Phillip C. Parrish, Candidate for Governor of Minnesota 2026, on Juneteenth
June 19, 2025 – Today, as we commemorate Juneteenth, we solemnly honor the moment in 1865 when the last enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, learned of their freedom—a full two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. This day, rooted in the resilience and triumph of those who endured the horrors of slavery, marks a pivotal chapter in our nation’s journey toward liberty and justice. It is a time to reflect on the unyielding courage of the enslaved, the moral clarity of abolitionists, and the resolute leadership of Lincoln, whose Proclamation on January 1, 1863, struck a decisive blow against the evil of human bondage.
The historical context of Juneteenth cannot be overstated. The Emancipation Proclamation, issued in the crucible of the Civil War, declared freedom for millions in Confederate territories, but its enforcement hinged on Union victories. In remote regions like Texas, slaveholders—driven by greed and defiance—delayed the truth of liberation, prolonging suffering for their own gain. This delay was not mere oversight; it was a deliberate act by those who profited from oppression, many aligned with the Confederate cause and the Democratic Party of the era, which championed slavery. We must never forget that slavery’s end required the blood, sweat, and sacrifice of countless Americans—Black and white, soldier and civilian—who stood against this moral abomination.
Abraham Lincoln’s contribution to humanity stands as a beacon of moral courage. His leadership, alongside abolitionists like Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, and countless others who risked all to dismantle slavery, must never be diminished or rewritten. Their legacy is a testament to the power of truth and righteousness in the face of evil. Yet, today, we face a new challenge: the exploitation of Juneteenth and the history of emancipation by grifters and opportunists who distort these sacred events for personal and political gain.
I sharply condemn all who twist the truth of Juneteenth and the Emancipation Proclamation to serve their own agendas. Whether it’s politicians using the holiday as a backdrop for empty photo ops, corporations peddling superficial merchandise, or activists hijacking its meaning to push divisive narratives, such exploitation is an affront to the memory of those who suffered and fought. These opportunists prey on the uninformed and vulnerable, rewriting history to inflate their own relevance while ignoring the raw truth of our past. Grifters who commodify or politicize this day—whether by glossing over the complicity of historical figures or inflating modern gestures to obscure inaction—must not be tolerated. They cheapen the sacrifices of our forebears and betray the very freedom we celebrate.
As Minnesotans, we have a duty to honor Juneteenth with integrity. We must teach our children the unvarnished truth: that slavery was a sin, that its end was hard-won, and that those who stood against it—Lincoln, the Union soldiers, the abolitionists, and the enslaved themselves—deserve our reverence. We must reject attempts to dilute this history with sanitized narratives or self-serving distortions. True unity comes from confronting our past honestly, not exploiting it for votes, profit, or power.
Together we must pledge to uphold the legacy of the Emancipation Proclamation and Juneteenth by fostering education that respects historical truth, by supporting policies that address the real challenges facing all Minnesotans, and by calling out those who would manipulate our shared history for their own ends. Let us celebrate Juneteenth as a testament to freedom’s triumph, and let us ensure that the courage of Lincoln and all who fought for justice is never altered or diminished by those who would exploit the vulnerable. Together, we can build a Minnesota that honors the past while forging a future rooted in truth and fairness.
Phillip C. Parrish
Candidate for Governor of Minnesota, 2026