Civil Rights

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The fundamental rights and freedoms that are guaranteed to all individuals by law, particularly with regard to issues of discrimination, equality, and protection under the law.

Civil Rights Movement: The historical movement that aimed to secure equal rights and protections for marginalized communities, including African Americans, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities.
Constitutional Law: The set of laws that define the structure and powers of the federal government, including the powers of Congress, the Executive Branch, and the Judiciary.
Discrimination: The unequal treatment of individuals or groups based on characteristics such as race, gender, sexuality, or ability.
Voting Rights: The laws and regulations surrounding the right to vote, including voter registration, ballot access, and gerrymandering.
Affirmative Action: Policies and initiatives aimed at increasing diversity and equal opportunity in education, employment, and other areas.
Education Law: The laws and policies that regulate education, including access to public schools and equal treatment of students.
Housing and Urban Development: The laws and policies that govern the provision of affordable housing and the development of urban areas.
Criminal Justice: The laws and policies that govern the criminal justice system, including policing, law enforcement, and incarceration.
Immigration Law: The regulations surrounding the movement of people across borders, including visas, citizenship, and deportation.
Disability Rights: The laws and policies that aim to ensure equal access and opportunities for people with disabilities, including protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Environmental Justice: The laws and policies that aim to ensure that marginalized communities do not bear a disproportionate burden of environmental degradation, such as pollution or climate change.
Equal Protection: The legal doctrine that requires the government to treat all individuals equally under the law, regardless of race, gender, sexuality, or other characteristics.
Political Rights: These include the right to vote, the right to run for office, and the right to participate in political activities, such as rallies and protests.
Economic Rights: These include the right to earn a fair wage, the right to safe working conditions, and the right to own and operate a business.
Social Rights: These include the right to education, the right to healthcare, and the right to social security.
Cultural Rights: These include the right to express one's cultural identity, the right to access cultural resources, and the right to participate in cultural activities.
Civil Liberties: These include the protection of individual freedoms such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom from government surveillance.
Human Rights: These are a set of fundamental rights and freedoms that are recognized internationally, including the right to life, liberty, and equality before the law.
Environmental Rights: These include the right to clean air, water, and food, the right to a healthy environment, and the right to participate in environmental decision-making.
"The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a landmark civil rights and labor law in the United States that outlaws discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin."
"It prohibits unequal application of voter registration requirements, racial segregation in schools and public accommodations, and employment discrimination."
"The act 'remains one of the most significant legislative achievements in American history'."
"Initially, powers given to enforce the act were weak."
"But these were supplemented during later years."
"Congress asserted its authority to legislate under several different parts of the United States Constitution, principally its enumerated power to regulate interstate commerce under the Commerce Clause of Article I, Section VIII, its duty to guarantee all citizens equal protection of the laws under the Fourteenth Amendment, and its duty to protect voting rights under the Fifteenth Amendment."
"The legislation was proposed by President John F. Kennedy in June 1963."
"[It] was opposed by filibuster in the Senate."
"President Lyndon B. Johnson pushed the bill forward."
"The United States House of Representatives passed the bill on February 10, 1964."
"After a 72-day filibuster, it passed the United States Senate on June 19, 1964."
"The final vote was 290–130 in the House of Representatives and 73–27 in the Senate."
"The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed into law by President Johnson at the White House on July 2, 1964."
"The Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlaws discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin.
"It prohibits racial segregation in schools and public accommodations."
"Its duty to protect voting rights under the Fifteenth Amendment."
"It remains one of the most significant legislative achievements in American history."
"After Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963, President Lyndon B. Johnson pushed the bill forward."
"After a 72-day filibuster, it passed the United States Senate on June 19, 1964."
"The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed into law by President Johnson at the White House."