L-R Leg. Seth Koslow, Arnold Drucker, Olena Nicks, Delia DeRiggi-Whitton, Debra Mulé, State Senator Siela Bynoe
Lawmakers push to finally give Juneteenth the recognition and respect it deserves in Nassau County
MINEOLA, N.Y. (June 18th, 2025) — Nassau County Legislator Olena Nicks, joined by fellow members of the Legislature’s Minority Caucus, introduced legislation today that would require Nassau County to officially recognize Juneteenth as a county holiday. The bill was announced during a press conference held at the Nassau County Legislative and Executive Building in Mineola.
The proposed ordinance would add June 19 to Nassau County’s list of official holidays and require the County to begin good-faith negotiations with employee unions to implement the policy.
“If Nassau County claims to recognize Juneteenth, then why does everything stay open like it’s just another Thursday?” said Legislator Olena Nicks, who is sponsoring the bill. “Recognition without observance is just performance. You can’t say you honor a holiday and then ignore it when the calendar date arrives.”
Juneteenth was established as a federal holiday in 2021, marking the anniversary of June 19, 1865, the day Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas and enforced the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing the last enslaved Americans. Since then, every U.S. state and every town and city in Nassau County, including Hempstead, North Hempstead, Oyster Bay, Glen Cove, and Long Beach, as well as neighboring Suffolk County, have recognized the day as an official holiday. Nassau County government remains the only outlier.
Nicks added, “From the epicenter of world commerce on Wall Street to the post office down the block, America pauses for Juneteenth. So why is Nassau County still treating it like business as usual?”
This will be the fourth attempt by Democrats since 2021 to pass legislation that makes Juneteenth an official holiday. Each time, the Republican-controlled Legislature has refused to advance the proposal.
“The Republican Majority and County Executive have now had four chances to do the right thing, and every time they’ve blocked it or refused to act,” said Legislator Seth Koslow. “At a certain point, the refusal stops looking like oversight and starts looking like a statement.”
“Juneteenth marks the end of slavery. It’s about truth, freedom, and delayed justice,” Koslow continued. “You can’t claim to honor liberty while refusing to honor Juneteenth. You can’t wrap yourself in the flag on July 4 while turning your back on June 19. This county belongs to all of us, Black, brown, white, young, old. If we say we value freedom and equality, then we need to live up to that.”
While Nassau County has occasionally held commemorative events or issued public statements, critics say those gestures ring hollow without official observance or closure.
“This isn’t about a day off - it’s about showing up for what matters,” said Legislator Arnold Drucker. “And right now, Nassau County is showing up late and empty-handed. Juneteenth is about freedom delayed, but here, even the recognition of that freedom keeps getting delayed.”
Despite its growing national prominence and regional acceptance, Nassau’s inaction continues to draw scrutiny.
Legislator Debra Mulé called the County’s stance an embarrassment. “We don’t treat Memorial Day like any other Monday. We don’t treat the Fourth of July like just another Thursday. So why is Juneteenth still treated like a second-class holiday?” she said. “Nassau’s refusal to officially recognize Juneteenth is embarrassing.”
Minority Leader Delia DeRiggi-Whitton contextualized the bill as part of a broader effort to bring Nassau in line with the rest of the region. “Juneteenth is more than a history lesson. It’s a national holiday rooted in truth, freedom, and justice.”