Press Releases

Today, June 19, 2020, Governor Roy Cooper proclaimed Juneteenth in North Carolina, the oldest known celebration honoring the end of enslavement in the United States.   It was on this day in 1865, more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, that Union General Gordon Granger proclaimed the end of slavery in Galveston, Texas. This authorized United States Colored Troops to enforce emancipation and ultimately the 13th Amendment in that state, just as they had been in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. 

Governor Roy Cooper has declared this month as LGBTQ Pride Month in North Carolina to honor the state’s LGBTQ+ communities and their fight for equality. "Pride Month is a time to both celebrate progress and increase our efforts in LGBTQ equality," Gov. Cooper said. "The U.S. Supreme Court got it right prohibiting LGBTQ discrimination in the workplace. Now comes the hard work of turning these legal protections into a reality of equality."

By official proclamation, Governor Roy Cooper declared June 14, 2020 as Flag Day. This national day of observance recognizes the adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777 and pays homage to this symbol of democracy and freedom that serves as a beacon for all Americans.  All North Carolinians are encouraged to display the US flag to honor our country, history, servicemembers and veterans of the US Armed Forces.

Governor Roy Cooper signed Executive Order No. 145 today, forming the North Carolina Task Force for Racial Equity in Criminal Justice. The task force will recommend solutions to stop discriminatory law enforcement and criminal justice practices, and hold public safety officers accountable. “We must acknowledge racial inequities in our systems of law enforcement and criminal justice, and then work to eliminate them. This task force will address policies and procedures that disproportionately burden communities of color,” said Governor Cooper.

Governor Roy Cooper today ordered all North Carolina flags at state facilities to be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Saturday, June 6, 2020 in honor of Mr. George Floyd, a native North Carolinian killed while in police custody in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Originally from Fayetteville, North Carolina, Mr. Floyd's murder has sparked unyielding protests across the globe in a unified call for racial equity and justice.

Today, Governor Roy Cooper signed Executive Order 143 to addresses the social, environmental, economic, and health disparities in communities of color that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Governor Roy Cooper has ordered all North Carolina flags at state facilities to be lowered to half-staff beginning today, Monday, June 1, 2020 through sunset for a Day of Mourning to honor those who passed away from the novel coronavirus. To date, 100,000 Americans including nearly 1,000 North Carolinians have lost their lives due to COVID-19. As a tribute to these many individuals and their families, all North Carolinians are encouraged to honor June 1, 2020 as a Day of Mourning.

In tribute to the sacrifices of our armed services personnel, Governor Cooper has ordered all United States and North Carolina flags at state facilities be flown at half-staff on Monday, May 25 until 12 noon in honor of Memorial Day.  Statement from Governor Roy Cooper:  "This is Memorial Day Weekend, and it’s an important opportunity to honor our men and women in uniform who made the ultimate sacrifice. It’s time to reflect on their contributions and show gratitude to their families. I’m grateful for these heroes who gave everything for our country." 

As we continue to honor the life of NC Civil Rights Activist, Andrea Harris, Governor Roy Cooper is extending the half-staff notice. Beginning today, May 22, 2020, Governor Cooper ordered all United States and North Carolina flags at state facilities be lowered to half-staff until sunset on Sunday, May 24, 2020 in tribute to the many lives lost from the novel coronavirus. Please join us as we pay respect to these individuals, their families and friends as we continue to navigate through this unprecedented time.

Governor Roy Cooper today ordered all North Carolina flags at state facilities to be lowered to half-staff on Thursday, May 21, 2020 until sunset Saturday, May 23, 2020 in honor of North Carolina Civil Rights Activist, Andrea Harris, who was a trailblazer for historically underutilized businesses. Harris passed away on Wednesday.