Allegheny Co. approves Juneteenth as paid holiday for county employees

PITTSBURGH — The Allegheny County Council has approved Juneteenth as a paid holiday for all county employees.

Councilmember Bethany Hallam said the board voted unanimously.

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Mayor Bill Peduto announced the day was an official holiday for the city of Pittsburgh starting in 2021.

Juneteenth commemorates the ending of slavery in the U.S. in 1863.

The county council also approved protections for people who fear retaliation for wearing their natural hair at work or school.

Mayor Bill Peduto submitted a bill to the Pittsburgh city council earlier this month, which is in-line with The Crown Act, which stands for “creating a respectful and open world for natural hair.”

Right now, the Crown Act is law in these seven states: California, Colorado, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia and Washington. Twin bills were introduced in both chambers of Pa.'s general assembly, but it’s unclear when they could move forward.

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Cox Media Group