Today, the Center for Policing Equity honors the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964, a turning point in the fight for justice in the United States. This act was more than a legal milestone. It was a declaration of what the nation could be: a nation where the dignity of every person is protected.
This anniversary arrives at a time when that promise is under renewed threat. In recent months, we have seen basic legal protections stripped away. The Trump administration has moved to dismantle disparate impact liability, a legal doctrine that allowed people to challenge policies that cause harm, even if the intent to discriminate was hidden. This change makes it harder to fight racial discrimination the ways it actually happens in the world. At the same time, we have seen civil rights agreements canceled, protections for LGBTQ+ and disabled people rolled back, and efforts to weaken programs that promote equity and inclusion.
This anniversary is not just a moment to look back. It is a call to stay vigilant and engaged in the ongoing fight for justice. Let us mark this anniversary by renewing our commitment to the work still ahead. If we want a future that lives up to the vision of the Civil Rights Act—and the people who shaped it—we must keep building it together, every day.