Holder Calls for New Civil Rights Legislation
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United States Department of Justice (WASHINGTON) — Paying tribute to the 50th anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act on Tuesday, Attorney General Eric Holder called on Congress to pass new legislation addressing present-day inequality and injustices throughout the nation.
The 1964 landmark law aids with current civil rights challenges, Holder said, but there’s still more work to be done.
“Half a century after its passage, the Civil Rights Act continues to provide an arsenal of singularly useful tools in waging this struggle,” the Attorney General said.
In his keynote speech, Holder emphasized the need for new anti-discrimination laws to prevent prejudice based on gender identity and marital status in housing. He also called for new workplace protections for women, along with education legislation against LGBT discrimination.
“Without the sacrifices of countless activists and citizens, I would not stand before you as Attorney General of the United States, proudly serving in the administration of our first African-American president,” Holder added.
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