Labor Union reaffirms its commitment to achieving economic and racial justice.

MADISON - AFSCME Wisconsin heartily supports the Dane County Board of Supervisors Personnel and Finance Committee’s unanimous recommendation in support of recognizing Juneteenth as a paid holiday for county employees beginning in 2021. Juneteenth celebrates the rich culture and contributions of African Americans and commemorates the ongoing struggle for freedom and equity.

Dane County employee and AFSCME Wisconsin Local 720 member Angela Wilson-Richards stated, “I am very happy to hear that the Personnel and Finance Committee has honored the recommendation to make Juneteenth a paid holiday. As an American Descendant of Slavery (ADOS), I understand that my ancestors’ freedom did not begin in 1776, but in 1865 when all slaves realized they were emancipated. As there is a paid holiday for July 4th, it seems only befitting to recognize June 19th as well.”

AFSCME Wisconsin reaffirms its commitment to achieving economic and racial justice in Dane County and across Wisconsin by advocating for quality public services, eradicating systemic injustices in our society, and protecting Dane County employees’ freedom to build workplace power and achieve prosperity.

AFSCME Wisconsin Local 720 President Sonia Kurhajetz explained, “I became an even prouder Dane County citizen when I learned that the Personnel and Finance Committee recommended the resolution to observe Juneteenth as a county holiday. Black Lives Matter is not a moment, it is a movement. It's through recognition and acts such as this that we, as a community, can continue to prove to our Black neighbors that their lives and histories matter and we celebrate them."

AFSCME Wisconsin calls upon all other Wisconsin municipalities to join Milwaukee and Dane Counties by extending holiday status to Juneteenth as is deserved.

MADISON - Lt. Gov. Barnes today delivered the Democratic Radio Address thanking Wisconsinites for wearing face coverings and providing some tips on how and when to wear a face covering.

Audio file of radio address.

Hi, Wisconsin! It’s Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes here.

As every region of our state continues to see high levels of COVID-19, I wanted to take a moment today to thank you for wearing a face covering or mask whenever you’re out and about.

This simple task could save lives as we know face coverings and masks are effective tools to stop the spread of COVID-19.

So I wanted to share some tips to make sure you’re wearing your mask the right way and at the right times.

First of all, wear your mask whenever you are indoors in a space that is not your own home.

Second, wear a mask anytime you’re around others who you don’t share a home or living unit with.

Next, always wash your hands before and after putting on or taking off your mask. And try not to touch it or move it around without washing your hands.

And finally, remember that a mask or face covering is not a substitute for physical distancing. Please continue to maintain 6 feet of distance between you and anyone who is not a member of your household.

These steps are critical to our efforts to box in this virus and keep Wisconsinites safe. My mask protects you, your mask protects me.

So Mask Up, Wisconsin, and let’s get through this together.