Latest news with #CivilRightsActof1875
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Akron at 200: A new president, civil rights and paid parking
As Akron celebrates its bicentennial in 2025, we're looking back at two centuries of headlines. Visit every Sunday morning throughout the bicentennial year for a look back at the week in Akron history. Here's what happened this week in local history: 1825: Northeast Ohio settlers learned about the inauguration of John Quincy Adams, the sixth president of the United States, on a springlike day at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Flash-forward to 1843: Adams traveled by canalboat from Cleveland to Columbus, stopping for breakfast in Akron as the vessel slowly worked its way through the locks. Most of the town's 2,000 residents greeted him. 1875: Black residents gathered in Galilee Fishermen's Hall in Miller's Block to celebrate the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1875. Signed by President Ulysses S. Grant, the law guaranteed Black people equal treatment in public transportation and public accommodations. The audience cheered as James Robison recited the language of the measure. The U.S. Supreme Court overturned the law in 1883. 1925: Northern Ohio Traction & Light of Akron announced it would add five streetcars on the East Market Street and Exchange Street lines. The extra service would mostly come at night and take care of the 11 p.m. shift at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. The utility planned improved transfers so passengers wouldn't have to return to their starting points to catch a ride. 1975: Akron was replacing its 1,450 parking meters with newer models. The old machines accepted only nickels. The replacements would take pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters. There was a catch. The old meters granted 30 minutes or 60 minutes of parking — depending on location — for 5 cents. The new machines required 10 cents for the same time. 2000: Pittsburgh-based Giant Eagle continued to expand in the Akron area, announcing it would take over eight Apples stores in the region. A $30 million renovation was planned for the locations. The supermarket chain planned to add 100 employees at each store. Two years earlier, Giant Eagle had taken over seven local markets operating under the IGA name. Mark J. Price can be reached at mprice@ Mark J. Price: The 50 best concerts I ever saw in Northeast Ohio This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: This week in Akron history for March 2, 2025
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Protests, discussions continue day after controversial Iowa bill signed into law
DES MOINES, Iowa — One day after a controversial bill that removes gender identity protections from the state's civil rights code was signed into law, Iowans continue to discuss its integrity. 'It's about freedoms and being able to be comfortable in who you are,' said Janice Fenton a founder of activist group 'United in Solidarity.' 'We've come backwards.' The bill, HSB 242, SF 418, was introduced just a week ago and removes gender identity as a protected class. That means protections from discrimination in employment, housing, wages, etc., have been now removed. After passing through the House and Senate on Thursday, Governor Kim Reynolds signed the bill Friday afternoon. On Saturday, dozens of people collected at the statehouse for a 'March Against Hate.' The event was organized by 'United in Solidarity,' which was formed on Monday in response to the bill. The group gathered at the steps of the Statehouse and worked their way down through the East Village as they chanted about peace and love, and 'no hate in our state!' The march was held on a significant day. The Civil Rights Act of 1875 was signed into law by then President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1 and granted all citizens civil and legal rights. Meanwhile, in Webster City on Saturday, the Chamber of Commerce held a forum with two GOP lawmakers who were grilled by constituents over the bill and other Republican-led legislative actions. 'It was a difficult topic, right? There were people on both sides, but at the end of the day we really need to afford protections for girls' sports, girls in the bathroom,' said Republican Franklin County State Rep. Shannon Latham. 'That was the real deciding factor for me.' 'I think that's what people put us in office to do,' said Republican Hancock County State Senator Dennis Guth. 'I'm feeling confident that we should move forward.' During the forum, lawmakers were also asked about a bill outlawing abortion drugs and the effort to make it law that students are educated through videos on the topic. The day before the bill that would remove gender identity protections from the state's civil rights code was signed, crowds of people filled the Capitol rotunda waving signs and chanting slogans in opposition. It will officially go into effect July 1. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
