Rhetoric Heats Up Over Debate Of Juneteenth Holiday

State lawmakers from each side the aisle disagree about commemorating a day to recognize the abolishment of slavery in the U.S.

The resolution to commemorate June 19th as Juneteenth is on hold in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Its sponsor, Senate Democrat Bert Johnson says the committee chair, Senate Republican Rick Jones, who is white, wants to rewrite its language.

Johnson, who is black, says it’s a case of practicing white privilege.

Jones later apologized to Johnson on the Senate floor saying he wants to shake hands and move on.