Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) was met with boos while attending a Juneteenth celebration on Saturday in Milwaukee.
Johnson, one of the leading voices in the objection of Juneteenth becoming a federal holiday stopped at the celebration in Milwaukee on Saturday and spoke to reporters, according to CBS 58.
“Most people are getting really tired of the division,” he said. “I think people are looking to really heal this nation and certainly that’s what I want to do. We can’t continue down this path. So again, I think this is a day to celebrate.”
While he was speaking, some members of the crowd began booing and heckling the senator. At one point during the video, a bystander can be heard saying, “We don’t need you out here.”
Sen. Johnson initially opposed the holiday arguing that America did not need another paid day off for federal workers, and he wanted more debate on the subject, Newsweek reports.
Earlier this week he released a statement reiterating his objection to the making Juneteenth a national holiday.
“Last year, a bill was introduced to celebrate Juneteenth by providing an additional paid holiday for 2 million federal employees at a cost of $600 million per year. They attempted to pass the bill without debate or amendment process,” Johnson said.
“Although I strongly support celebrating Emancipation, I objected to the cost and lack of debate. While it still seems strange that having taxpayers provide federal employees paid time off is now required to celebrate the end of slavery, it is clear that there is no appetite in Congress to further discuss the matter. Therefore, I do not intend to object,” he added.
He later dropped his objection, and President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law on Thursday.
