Pressley Continues to Lead Charge for Bold Policies That Protect Black Freedom, Advance Racial Justice

BOSTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) issued the following statement marking the Juneteenth federal holiday. Congresswoman Pressley remains steadfast in her advocacy for bold policies that protect Black freedom, safeguard Black history, and advance racial justice, including reparations.

“On Juneteenth, we celebrate Black joy, Black history, Black brilliance, and Black emancipation. We honor our ancestors whose resistance and sacrifice made this day possible, and we thank today’s freedom fighters who carry forward their legacy. Juneteenth is a reminder that Black freedom was fought for and won by Black people, and today our struggle for collective liberation continues.

“In this moment of anti-Blackness on steroids—when our very existence is under attack, our history is being erased, diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives are under assault, and our civil rights are under threat from the highest levels of government—we must remain unapologetic in advancing bold policies that protect Black lives and freedom. That means passing H.R. 40, our bill to advance reparations and address America’s shameful legacy of slavery. It means safeguarding voting rights, securing reproductive freedom, and ending the Black maternal morbidity crisis. It means investing in Baby Bonds, confronting the rise of book bans, ending mass incarceration, investing in housing and education as human rights, and so much more.

“As communities across the country, from Texas to Roxbury and beyond, gather to observe Freedom Day, we’re reminded that Black joy is itself an act of resistance—a declaration of our worth and our power. As we commemorate this day, let us honor our ancestors not just through reflection, but through action, organizing, and policy change that bring us closer to the emancipation and freedom they dreamt of and fought so hard for.”

In 2020, Congresswoman Pressley joined civil rights champion and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX) in supporting legislation to make Juneteenth a national holiday and authored an op-ed in WBUR advocating for its enactment. Rep. Pressley applauded the House’s passage of the bill in 2021.

Rep. Pressley is the lead House sponsor of H.R. 40, historic legislation to establish a federal commission to examine the lasting legacy of slavery and develop reparations proposals for African American descendants of enslaved people. This week, she announced growing momentum behind the bill, which now has the support of nearly 100 national and grassroots organizations and over 80 members of Congress.

Rep. Pressley is also the author of the Books Save Lives Act, legislation to help ensure an inclusive learning environment and counteract the harm of book bans across the country. 

Throughout her time in Congress, Rep. Pressley has championed policies to address the harmful legacy of slavery and support the true liberation of Black America, including Baby Bonds, a People’s Justice Guarantee, student debt cancellation, addressing the Black maternal morbidity crisis, supporting Black-owned microbusinesses, promoting anti-racist public health policy, and more.

In April 2025, Rep. Pressley met with Northeastern University’s Center for Law, Equity, and Race to discuss efforts and further action in a shared push for reparative justice.

Congresswoman Pressley is the lead sponsor of the People’s Justice Guarantee (PJG) – her comprehensive, decarceration-focused resolution that outlines a framework for a fair, equitable and just legal system. 

Last year, Rep. Pressley and House Oversight Ranking Member Jamies Raskin introduced the Federal Government Equity Improvement Act and the Equity in Agency Planning Act to codify racial equity across federal agencies and improve government services for underserved communities.

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