UNRUH CIVIL RIGHTS ACT (1959)

Jessica NelsonNatalie BuckleyTiffany Roman

“All persons within the jurisdiction of this state are free and

equal, and no matter what their sex, race, color, religion,ancestry, national origin, disability, medical condition,

geneticinformation, marital status, or sexual orientation are

entitled tothe full and equal accommodations, advantages, facilities,

privileges, or services in all business establishments of every kind

whatsoever.”- California Civil Code Section 51

Who or What Authored The Unruh Civil Rights Act?

Jessie M. Unruh

California Civil Code

A Clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WYsE

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What were the significant Points of the Unruh Civil Rights act?

Provides Protection

Applies to Businesses in California

What the act specifically is meant for?

What businesses are Covered?

This law requires "Full and equal accommodations, advantages, facilities, privileges or services in all business establishments." This includes but is not limited to:

• Hotels and Motels• Non-Profit Organizations

• Restaurants• Theaters• Hospitals

• Barber and Beauty Shops• Housing Accommodations

• Public Agencies• Retail Establishments

What Remedies are Available for Victims of Discrimination?

Out-Of-Pocket Expenses

• Cease and Desist Orders

• Damages for Emotional Distress

• Exemplary Damages

What Should Victims Do? File a complaint

Time limit

Speak with a representative

Texas Columnist, Molly Ivins:

"In order to get anything done, first you have to get the power [. . .] Getting power is usually ugly. The way one judges politicians is by what they do when they have power: Help people or screw people.“

The Logic Behind the Law Jesse Unruh believed

in equality and had a vision for “a greater California.”

“Unruh was a dominating character, a combination of intelligence, political power, idealism, wit, anger, and cynicism.”

Not Everyone Agreed Unruh’s logic was

that everyone should have a fair chance in the business world, regardless of race or disability; the Senate was conservative and against the act becoming law.

Eventually, Unruh used his political power to twist the system and get his way by killing every bill that was pending in the assembly.

“Long after his death, victims of discrimination can fight back with the Unruh Civil Rights Act.”

Unruh Impact Democracy Go more in depth on the hot topics in

government. Explains the different aspects of each

topic. For example: Disability, Pregnancy, and

Sexual Harassment

Sources Boyarsky, Bill. "Not pure, Not Simple."

The Los Angles Times, November 7, 2011, 1-3.

CA Government. "Equal Rights 101 Lesson PLan." California Department of Fair Employment and Housing. Last modified August 9, 2010. Accessed October 29, 2012. http://www.dfeh.ca.gov/ ER101LessonPlan.htm.

Sources Continued "General Information about the UNRUH

CIVIL RIGHTS ACT." California Department of Fair Employment & Housing Fact Sheet. Accessed October 29, 2012. http://www.dfeh.ca.gov/res/docs/publications/DFEH-250.pdf.