The City of Meridian will commemorate the 60th anniversary of the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 with a two-day observation and celebration this Friday and Saturday.

The most sweeping civil rights legislation since Reconstruction, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson during a White House ceremony on July 2, 1964, just a few hours after it was passed by Congress. The legislation prohibited discrimination in public places, provided for the integration of schools and other public facilities and made employment discrimination illegal based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin.

“We are commemorating the 1964 Civil Rights Act and Freedom Summer and giving back that respect to the lives that were given for everyone to have the right to vote,” said Terrance Davis, cultural affairs coordinator for the city’s Community Development Department.

“This is a time of remembrance and a time of honor,” he said.

The city also observed the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act back in 2014, Davis said.

To commemorate the anniversary, the city of Meridian has scheduled a two-day observation beginning at 6:30 p.m. Friday with a program to be held at the historic First Union Baptist Church.

Judge Veldore Graham, Pastor Odell Hopkins, the Rev. Gerald Hudson and Angela Lewis, the daughter of slain civil rights activist James E. Chaney, will expound on the theme, “Have We Forgotten the Cost of the Vote?”

“Democracy is going to be on the ballot this year, and we sometimes have to be reminded of the cost of the vote,” Davis said.

During the 1960s, First Union was considered the headquarters among the churches of civil rights activities in Meridian. Located at 610 38th Ave., the church provided a place of refuge for civil rights supporters, as well as served as the backdrop for numerous meetings. Its pastor at the time, the Rev. R.S. Porter, served as president of the local NAACP chapter.

The 60th anniversary observance will continue Saturday with the Meridian Police Department and Meridian Fire Department coming together for a friendly kickball competition to be held at James E. Chaney Park, located at 40th Avenue and Paulding Street.

Davis said this will be the first time the police and fire departments have played each other in a kickball competition and the game is shaping up to be competitive.

The event, which will get underway at 4:30 p.m., will also feature several tasty food vendors, music and a KidZone activity area. Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair to sit and watch the fun.

“It is all about community and coming together,” Davis said.

Admission to the 60th anniversary events is free, and both are open to the public.