Rangel Pays Homage to the Civil Rights Act

Statement

Congressman Charles B. Rangel, who represents the 13th Congressional District of New York that includes Upper Manhattan and parts of the Bronx, released the following statement honoring the 52nd anniversary of the Civil Rights Act:

"This July 2nd, we honor the Civil Rights Act on its 52nd anniversary. This landmark legislation, which prohibits discrimination in businesses and public spaces on the bases of race, religion, sex, or national origin, changed the course of American history and paved the way for the freedoms many enjoy today.

The Act, spearheaded by the courageous efforts and sacrifices of civil rights activists, Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Rosa Parks, and many other unsung heroes, demonstrated how we can unite to bring about far-reaching reforms. In 1965, I marched with thousands of civil rights activist from Selma to Montgomery to demand the voting rights for all people. I am proud to say that we were part of the movement in the 1960s that led to groundbreaking laws.

While we have seen progress, there is much to do ensure equality and justice for all. The disproportionate number of African Americans in our nation's prisons, police brutalization of minorities, and repeated attacks on voting rights are harsh reminders that our work is far from over. Nevertheless, we are a nation of progress. On this anniversary, we must ensure that the legacy of the Civil Rights Act lives on and that liberty and justice is truly for all."

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