DPCCC membership approved a Black History Month Proclamation at the February 18, 2021 regular meeting. The full document is available here. The text follows below.

This February, during Black History Month, I call on the Democrats of Contra Costa County to honor the history and achievements of Black Americans and to reflect on the centuries of struggle that have brought us to this time of reckoning, redemption, and hope. 

As we strive to fully live up to the founding principles of this County Democratic Party – that all people are created equal and have the right to be treated equally throughout their lives. (About Us ~ Democratic Party of Contra Costa County (contracostadems.com) – We are proud to celebrate Black History Month with the goal of having a Central Committee that looks like America – one that reflects the full talents and diversity of the American people. 

It is long past time to confront deep racial inequities and the systemic racism that continue to plague our County. A knee to the neck of justice opened the eyes of millions of Americans and launched a summer of protest and stirred the Nation and the County’s conscience. A pandemic has further ripped a path of devastation through every community in Contra Costa County, but we see its acute effect among Black Americans who are dying, losing jobs, and closing businesses at disproportionate rates in the dual crisis of the pandemic and the economy. We saw how a broad coalition of Americans of every race and background registered and voted – more people than in any other election in our Nation’s history – to heal these wounds and unite and move forward as a County. 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Leadership of the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County hereby proclaims February as Black History Month and encourages all constituents to join us in celebrating this special month.

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Katie Ricklefs, Chair
Democratic Party of Contra Costa County
February 18, 2021