Brooklyn, NY – April 11th, 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1968 into law.

The Civil Rights Act of 1968 is a federal law that prohibited discrimination concerning the sale, rental, and financing of housing [1] based on race, religion, national origin, sex, (and as amended) handicap and family status. Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 is also known as the Fair Housing Act.[2]

"This was a landmark Act for many reasons" said Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte.” As African Americans continued to push for equal rights in areas of education and the right to vote, housing became very critical element to the movement. It is no different today, as the right to be able to live wherever you choose without discrimination is still a right. The subtle discriminatory practices of landlords today have displaced many tenants in and around my district. Stories of Ms. Joy Pearl Noel and countless others who have been unjustly removed from their homes without regard for their well-being is just heartbreaking and serve as a painful reminder that we can no longer stand on the sidelines or be silent. I will continue to be a strong voice and advocate, pushing on all fronts to ensure that we all have Fair Housing."

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[1] https://definitions.uslegal.com/c/civil-rights-act-of-1968/

[2] http://www.bostonfairhousing.org/timeline/1968-Fair-Housing-Act.html