July 2, 2014, Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act
On July 2, 1964, President Lyndon Johnson signed the historic Civil Rights Act into law. On Wednesday, July 2, 2014, a series of events sponsored by organizations and community groups will be convened across the State of Delaware to commemorate 50th anniversary of this landmark legislation.
The 1964 Civil Rights Act is a historic accomplishment of the Civil Rights Movement that ended the "Jim Crow" system of state-sanctioned segregation. The major provisions of the legislation are Title II, which outlawed discrimination in hotels, motels, restaurants, theaters, and other public accommodations; Title VI, which authorized the termination of federal funds from programs that practiced discrimination and Title VII, which prohibits discrimination in employment and created the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to review and investigate complaints.
The highlights of the July 2nd events include:
New Castle County
Two events will be held. A commemorative rally will be held on from 12:30-1:15pm at Freedom Plaza, located on French St. in Wilmington (between 8th & 9th Streets).
At 5:30 pm a screening and discussion of the film, "Freedom Riders” will be convened in Carvel State Office Building at 9th & French Streets, Wilmington.
Kent County
The "Freedom Riders" documentary will be screened at 7 pm at the Schwartz Center in Dover.
Other upcoming Kent County events include the "Come Meet History Makers & Civil Rights Activists" films and discussions at the Dover Library:
- July 9th at 2 pm— "The Abolitionists" film part I, will be screened
- July 23 at 2 pm— "The Abolitionists" part II, will be shown
- Aug. 6th at 2 pm— "The Abolitionists" part III, will be shown
- Aug. 29 at 2 pm— a film and discussion about slavery will be convened
- Sept. 3rd at 2 pm— "The Loving Story" documentary will be shown and discussed
- Sept. 17th at 2 pm— "Freedom Riders" documentary will be screened and discussed
Sussex County
At 6:00pm a peaceful Walk for Justice will commence at St. Michael the Archangel Church (202 Edward St., Georgetown) and conclude at Georgetown Presbyterian Church (203 N. Bedford St., Georgetown). Freedom songs and excerpts of inspirational speeches from civil rights leaders will be presented at this event.
For More Information
All of these commemorative events are free and open to the public. For more information, call the Delaware Division of Human Relations at 877-54-HUMAN
