The "Juneteenth Freedom Day" is created. It shall be commemorated on the third Saturday in June of each year and be observed by:
A. reflecting on the history of African-American slavery in the United States; the experience of Africans brought to the United States in a five- to twelve-week journey across the Atlantic; the deaths of thousands of Africans who died in inhuman conditions of passage; the abuse of African-American slaves, including whipping, castration, branding and rape; the importance of the Thirteenth Amendment of the United States constitution abolishing slavery throughout the United States and its territories; and the significance of June 19, 1865, the day on which the message of freedom and abolition reached the western states; and
B. recognizing the importance of Americans of African descent as American citizens and New Mexico residents.
History: Laws 2006, ch. 68, § 1.
ANNOTATIONSEffective dates. — Laws 2006, ch. 68 contained no effective date provision, but, pursuant to N.M. Const., art. IV, § 23, was effective May 17, 2006, 90 days after adjournment of the legislature.