Civil Rights Law

Definition of "Civil rights law"

Civil rights acts passed by the U.S. Congress includes those of 1866, 1870, 1871, 1875, 1964, and 1968. The first two acts gave blacks the rights to be treated as citizens in legal actions, particularly to sue and be sued and to own property. The cornerstone of the modern civil rights movement is the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This act prohibited discrimination in employment and established the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. This major piece of legislation also banned discrimination in public accommodations connected with interstate commerce, including restraints, theaters, and hotels. The Civil Rights Act of 1968 extended these guarantees to housing and real estate.

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