Thursday, October 1, 2026
Nassau County Legislator Olena Nicks, along with members of the Legislature’s Minority Caucus, unveiled a new bill at a June 17 news conference aimed at making Juneteenth an official paid holiday in Nassau County.
Nicks and her colleagues emphasized the importance of formally recognizing Juneteenth to honor the day that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States.
The bill states that Suffolk County, and three towns and both cities within Nassau County, specifically Town of Hempstead, North Hempstead, Oyster Bay, City of Glen Cove and Long Beach formally declared Juneteenth as a national holiday.
Nicks said, “it’s just politics.” She cites changes in the county administration as a leading catalyst for the decision.
This marks the fourth attempt by Democrats since 2021 to pass legislation making Juneteenth an official county holiday. The Republican-controlled Legislature refused advancement of the proposal.
Similar versions of the bill were introduced in 2023 and 2024. In a statement, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said the designation of holidays falls under collective bargaining, adding that he would be open to recognizing Juneteenth if the union agreed to exchange it for another holiday.
On June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law, making June 19 a federal holiday. The bill had received strong bipartisan support in Congress, as the House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved it and in the Senate the vote was unanimous.
Nicks recognizes the importance of this new legislation in lieu of the country’s current political climate.
“Recognition without observance is just performance. You can’t say you honor a holiday and ignore it when the calendar date arrives”, she said.
All federal employees receive paid time off on June 19 — except in Nassau County. All employees are compensated in the United States for 14 holidays by receiving paid time off.
Some towns within Nassau, like Hempstead, have moved forward on their own, granting paid holiday status for Juneteenth to their employees. But county leaders say any change would require discussions with labor unions — a process that has yet to begin.
“Why is Juneteenth still a second class holiday? It’s not just symbolic, this is embarrassing, were better than that” Legislator Debra Mulé said.
Despite the lack of formal recognition, Juneteenth celebrations continue to grow in the county, with events featuring music, dancing, and community gatherings.
For many, the push to make Juneteenth a paid holiday is about more than a day off — it’s about acknowledging a critical chapter in American history.
“It’s not enough to have a concert in the name of Juneteenth. It’s not enough to have a picnic in the park for the employees in the spirit of Juneteenth. It’s about calling for a holiday.” said State Sen. Siela Bynoe.
Even though the Emancipation Proclamation took effect in 1863, it was not enforced in Confederate-controlled states like Texas. Enslaved people there would not be freed until June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived and announced that more than 250,000 enslaved Black people were free by executive decree. That day became known as Juneteenth.
“Juneteenth is about freedom delayed, but here, even the recognition of that freedom keeps getting delayed,” Legislator Arnold Drucker said.
