(Little Rock, KATV) — “Today marks the 60th anniversary of civil rights act of 1964,” Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Commission, Executive Director, Dushun Scarbrough said.
Groups across the state have held ceremonies including the Martin Luther King Junior Commission right here in Little Rock.
The passing of the Civil Rights Act was a pivotal moment in history when it comes to the rights of African Americans and minorities.
“A very important milestone for African Americans, minorities, minority women, especially women. Civil rights ended desegregation, discrimination, provided rights for women, education, and it ended Jim Crow laws in the United States,”Baseline Bilingual School, Director, Ida Wells said.
The act provided rights that many were deprived of for years — Basic privileges that appear second nature today.
“Because of that we are able to have many of the rights that once before we weren’t able to drink from the same water fountain as a certain race. Or we weren’t able to have rights for women and a lot of those rights have come from the titles of the civil rights act,” Scarbrough said.
Education on the Civil Rights movement’s impact continued today with Arkansas advocates holding a recommitment march through the streets of Little Rock with people from all walks of life, but mainly the youth.The intent was to honor the sacrifices from years past.
“We wanted to take that opportunity to do what our forefathers did. To be able to show our ancestors the appreciation of what they’ve accomplished for us 60 years later,” Scarbrough said.
Remembering those whose suffering created a better future and a source of hope.
“Living in today’s era it’s beautiful.” “There’s so much unity and equality. And you know we’re still living the legacy,” Pettus Foundation, Founder/CEO, Kris Pettus said.
“We want them to carry this on. Make sure they strengthen what we started and carry the torch on,” Wells said.
In addition to the march the Martin Luther King Jr Commission helped the Thrasher Boys and Girls club relaunch their L.E.A.D. and the Dream Keepers programs– Continuing the growth of our African American and minority youth in community for years to come.