Above:  Gottheimer honors Juneteenth in Fair Lawn with the North Jersey community.

FAIR LAWN, NJ — On June 19, 2023, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) honored Juneteenth by joining the community and taking part in Fair Lawn’s first annual Juneteenth Community Celebration of Freedom. The celebration featured local Black-owned businesses, music, student art, and festivities.

Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19, commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in 1865, celebrates freedom, and honors the contributions of the Black community to our nation.

“Juneteenth is a time for our communities to commemorate and reflect on the end of slavery in the United States, African American freedom, and to emphasize the achievements of the Black community in our nation’s history,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer. “We must stand up because, paraphrasing Dr. King, the arc of the moral universe will not just bend toward justice on its own, we must help bend it. That is why we are here today — and why we must recognize and celebrate this jubilant holiday.”

In 2021, Gottheimer cosponsored and helped pass the bipartisan legislation in Congress that made Juneteenth a full federal holiday. 

Gottheimer was joined by Mayor Kurt Peluso, Deputy Mayor Chris Krause, Councilmember Gail Rottenstrich, and Deputy Mayor of Community Affairs Cristina Cutrone.

Below: Gottheimer honors Juneteenth in Fair Lawn with the North Jersey community.

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