Obama says Civil Rights Act of 1964 opened doors for freedom, more work remains

Obama praises Civil Rights Act’s 45th anniversary

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says the Civil Rights Act opened doors for freedom but inequities remain on the legislation’s 45th anniversary.

On Thursday, Obama released a statement praising the 1964 law that ended legal discrimination. Obama says Americans must continue to break down barriers to equality and fulfill the promises of that legislation.

Obama says the act won passage because Americans of all backgrounds “stood up, sat down, and marched in freedom’s cause” together.