Executive branch state employees in Virginia will have a paid day off this week to commemorate Juneteenth, the anniversary of the end of slavery, Gov. Ralph Northam (D) announced Tuesday.

“Why does that day matter? It mattered then because it marked the end of slavery in the United States, but it matters now because it says to black communities, this is not just your history, this is everyone’s shared history, and we recognize it together.” Northam said.

He said he will also propose legislation to make Juneteenth a paid state holiday across all branches of government, and he hoped local governments would also observe it for their workers.

The governor spoke as protests following the killing of George Floyd by police have echoed throughout Virginia, raising questions locally about police treatment of demonstrators. Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney (D) has called for a state investigation after a police SUV drove into protesters Saturday. Demonstrations in the state capitol have centered on a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, which Northam has pledged to remove, although legal challenges remain.

“I’ve seen some troubling videos of the interactions and we’re going to take a look at these incidents,” Northam said. “I am committed to addressing use-of-force protocols across the board.”

Del. Charniele Herring (D-Alexandria), the first African American majority leader in the Commonwealth’s history, thanked the governor for his declaration and called on broader reforms to eradicate discrimination.

“The question is, will we be bold and upright the wrongs of slavery and institutionalized racism and be persistent in our quest from now on, or do we just let this opportune moment pass?” she said.

The ACLU of Virginia praised Northam’s announcement in a tweet: “this is long overdue to start the process of reparations in VA. Gov. Northam must take concrete ACTIONS to address racial injustices in our criminal legal system, voting rights & others.”

Artist Pharrell Williams, a Virginia native, said during the news briefing that the declaration was “a big display of progress” and that he was grateful for it.

“A paid holiday, it’s not the end of it, it’s just the beginning of it,” Virginia Beach native @Pharrell said about Virginia declaring Juneteenth a state holiday.

“Black lives matter in the eyes of the commonwealth. They didn’t always, but they do now.” https://t.co/fMxRrFE5FO

— WAVY TV 10 (@WAVY_News) June 16, 2020

“From this moment on, when you look at the vastness of the night sky, and you see those stars moving up there, know that those stars are our African ancestors dancing,” Williams said. “They’re dancing in celebration because their lives are finally being acknowledged.”

Williams called on corporations in Virginia to follow suit and give workers a paid day off on Juneteenth.

Also today, Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates Eileen Filler-Corn announced that all House of Delegates employees will have a paid day off on Juneteenth. She calls it an “important step as lawmakers work to tackle inequities in the Commonwealth.”

This Friday, Juneteenth 2020, will be a paid day off for all House of Delegates employees. Properly commemorating Juneteenth is an important step as we move forward to tackle the inequities in our Commonwealth.

— Eileen Filler-Corn (@EFillerCorn) June 16, 2020

This story has been updated with additional information.