Playwright Tony Kushner wrote in "Angels in America" that "It is only through politics that miracles occur." One occurred here in America fifty years ago today -- the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by LBJ.
The Senate segregationist filibuster was broken through the courage of St. Augustine, Florida residents and visitors who stood up to the KKK, Sheriff, City Police and the formidable forces of Jim Crow Segregation. Their actions and extreme reactions to them enabled President Johnson to break the Senate filibuster.
The rest is history -- ethnic and religious minorities, women and GLBT people continue to win victories.
In St. Augustine, Florida, today at 3:30 in our Slave Market Square, we will celebrate that victory, close by two civil rights monuments (one to Civil Rights Foot Soldiers and one to Ambassador Andrew Young, who was savagely beaten here).
Come join us if you can. Come see the Journey exhibit in our Visitor Information Center through July 15th.
If not, light a candle and say a prayer for our country and our planet.
I believe that we will win -- we will continue to win more human and civil rights victories until our nation and the world is a better place.
Yes we can!
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