Florida Emancipation Day message from Mayor Ward
Press release from the City of Gainesville
On May 20, 1865, an estimated 61,000 people who were enslaved in Florida officially learned they were free.
On that day, Union General Edward McCook stood on the steps of the Knott House in Tallahassee and read the Emancipation Proclamation. Although President Abraham Lincoln had signed it more than two years earlier, enslaved people in Florida had not been allowed their freedom. Now the entire state understood that slavery had ended. Although struggles still lay ahead, a new day had arrived.
Florida Emancipation Day is about more than a document or a date. It is about the people who were freed — people who worked, dreamed, built families, kept their faith, and held onto hope through generations of injustice. Their display of courage and strength inspires us, even a full 160 years later.
Today we honor this legacy. We share the full story of our state and nation. As your mayor, I am committed to making sure that Gainesville continues to grow into a city where everyone has the chance to succeed and where history is remembered and shared truthfully every day.
“Freedom is never given; it is won.” — A. Philip Randolph
— Mayor Harvey L. Ward
Freedom is never given, it is won. Just like when GRU won its freedom from my pudgy fingers. Just wait until I take back control and empty out its piggy banks into my rainbow crosswalks and non-binary bathrooms and locker rooms.
Unfortunately there are still over a million enslaved people in our country today. How this is still allowed is beyond me.
https://www.walkfree.org/global-slavery-index/country-studies/united-states/
The city should put up a statue of Brigadier General Edward M McCook where the statue of confederate “old Joe” was downtown in celebration of the emancipation proclamation in Florida….the ACSB should rename eastside high school to Edward M McCook High School to honor this wonderful history of freedom in Florida!
Slavery was historically an alternative to genocide of a conquered people. But America and other modern slave traders made it a commodity of human trafficking rather than a byproduct of conquest.
Today, many are victims of human trafficking using open borders, travel and student visas never enforced, and children. Humans are still used for cheap labor they cannot organize for themselves or protest about. That’s why open borders are defended by the elites.
👿💩👹🤡👺
This is such bull****
So says the lard-arsed Mayor who does what he and his fellow rulers can to keep people enslaved.
The City Commission’s continuous pursuit to control GRU profits, increase rates, and other special assessments forced on residents would make any common sense person to vote differently. Unfortunately, the Botchers of the world are whores to these types and will always be dependent on them.
That’s right You voted. GRU customers who live outside the city and can’t vote on GRU control are exactly like the slaves bought and sold in markets before 1865. I personally own 2 of them and they’re washing my car right now before starting their day long task hoeing of the corn.
I guess it’s a good thing it’s 2025 and not 1865. I’m not responsible nor accountable for what happened in 1865. You shouldn’t let some guilt you into believing you are either.
So tell me, who’s in line at Ward’s trough first, you or Botcher?
Doofus, you said Ward keeps people enslaved, not me. Now, it is true he is who I bought my slaves from and I got a good deal! A new toaster oven for buying 2.
Causing GRU users to be indebted is his way of keeping his minions in bondage.
Thought you were smarter than a 4th grader.
I wonder what is a stronger sign of virtue signaling- putting something like this out, or walking down the sidewalk all alone with a mask on??
Both are virtue signaling …the fear is an illusion, they should take off the mask..
SHUT YOUR PIE HOLE WARD, AND WHY DONT YOU AND CHESTNUT PUT YOUR HEADS TOGETHER AND MAKE AN A** OUT OF YOURSELVES!
Don’t forget what senile Joke Bidumbdumb said……”They’re going to put you back in chains!” Funny coming from a Democrat who’s party was pro slavery.
We needs the chuckle cheese chestnut football extravaganza so that the young men and women can have a place to gather. 150 million ain’t that much. We could also move grace place over there.
Is there gonna be a party at McPherson park? Is the shooter still at large?
So most of you don’t like celebrating the end of slavery? Who the …. are you people?