John -- today is the 60th anniversary of President Eisenhower signing the Civil Rights Act of 1957 into law and establishing the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. It was an essential precursor to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and so many other civil rights laws enacted in the past 60 years.

As an organizer during our country’s Civil Rights Movement -- one who fought to see the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts of the ‘60s signed into law -- I know the Division plays as important a role today as it did the day it was founded. 

Many Americans still face barriers based on who they are, what they look like, who they love, or where they live. Barriers to health care, housing, the ballot box. The Civil Rights Division fights for them.

When it was created, the Division focused on protecting Black Americans’ voting rights, prosecuted the murders of civil rights workers, and investigated the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Since then its scope has grown. Today, the Civil Rights Division enforces laws prohibiting discrimination in the workplace, education, and housing on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, and religion, and it combats hate crimes, human trafficking, and police brutality.

The work the Civil Rights Division was created to do -- to pursue equal justice and opportunity for all -- is far from finished. And John, it’s going to take all of us getting involved to ensure it continues for another 60 years and beyond. 

We must raise our voices when we witness injustices. We must vote for champions for equality and justice at every level of government. 

John, I’m asking you to add your name to mine and commit to being part of our movement’s fight for civil rights, justice, and equality for all.

Thank you,

Jim