On the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Civil Rights Act, challenges remain for Latino communities. Voter suppression is a recurring problem. Before the 1964 civil rights law, the poll tax was used to deny voting to blacks and Latinos.
In 2011, Texas passed a voter identification law, which the U.S. Department of Justice struck down under Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act. That legislation allows the federal government to block discriminatory regulations in jurisdictions with a history of voter suppression.
Voter ID is viewed as a new version of poll taxes because it can be costly and difficult for poorer people to obtain IDs. Latinos are one of the largest and most economically disadvantaged groups in Texas and their ability to vote could be hampered by the ID requirement.
In Arizona, SB 1070 is a new challenge to anti-immigration laws. While the measure’s supporters say its intent is controlling illegal immigration, opponents counter that it has resulted in increased racial profiling. Under the law, police are obligated to ask the immigration status of anyone they arrest or detain if they suspect they are in this country illegally.
Despite the progress that has been made since 1964, challenges persist. The Civil Rights Summit provides a time to consider how the work of civil rights leaders and President Lyndon Johnson applies today.
Read the complete MSNBC article here.