RIVER NORTH — The Rev. Michael Pfleger blistered Gov. Bruce Rauner on Monday over canceled plans to hold a "Juneteenth" event at the DuSable Museum.
Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery, but the governor canceled an event he had planned at the DuSable Museum over "safety" concerns and the possibility it would be met with protest.
Pfleger, the minister at St. Sabina Church, issued his own protests Monday during an appearance at the City Club.
"This is the guy who is crippling our community," Pfleger said. As part of the state budget impasse, he added, "We're watching social service organizations close up. We're watching violence-prevention programs gone. We're watching the South and the West sides dying. They've already been on life support. And under this governor they're on hospice now.
"And then we're gonna let him come speak in the pulpit? On Juneteenth weekend at the DuSable Museum?" Pfleger said. "It's an insult. So I was glad that he canceled."
Pfleger labeled Illinois "the state of emergency," adding, "The city is broke. The state's broke and dysfunctional."
Rauner was supposed to attend a Juneteenth celebration at the DuSable Museum of African American History on Monday — but he canceled because of planned protests.
"It is unfortunate that special interests politicized what was supposed to be a celebratory event," Rauner spokeswoman Catherine Kelly said. "Out of an abundance of caution and respect for the safety of visitors and the museum, we have regretfully canceled the planned Juneteenth event at the DuSable Museum."
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