City of Orlando Commemorates 50th Anniversary of Civil Rights Act

ORLANDO, FL – On Monday, June 30, Mayor Buddy Dyer, the Orlando City Council, along with local leaders and community members, gathered at City Hall to celebrate the 50^th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

During the event, Mayor Dyer issued a proclamation officially declaring that July 2^nd, 2014 would mark the 50^th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act in the City of Orlando.

“In this City, we value diversity,” he said. “Diversity is probably our greatest strength. Today we celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act. I encourage everyone to join us in working toward true and lasting equality for all.”

Walt Disney World Resort Minority Business Development Manager Belinda Frazier, who sits on the Board of the Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Central Florida, introduced the “Embrace the Dream” exhibit. Brought to City Hall from the Holocaust Center for the event, the exhibit highlights Central Florida heroes from the Jewish and Black communities who worked shoulder to should and hand by hand to move the civil rights movement forward.

Ms. Frazier also noted that this year the Holocaust Center and more than 45 local partners will host programs as part of a community-wide collaboration commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act.

“We will join with our neighbors families, and friends in remembering who lead the way in our communities, what injustices they challenged and changed, why the legislation was necessary, and how we can continue to uphold equality. “

Along with the Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Central Florida, co-sponsors included the City of Orlando’s Chapter 57 Review Board, Mayor Dyer’s Martin Luther King Jr. Commission, the NAACP, Florida A&M, the Downtown Development Board and WUCF.