Protecting Equal Rights Under the Law with 42 U.S.C. Section 1981

Our civil rights laws provide protections against race discrimination.  42 U.S.C. Section 1981 provides that: All persons within the jurisdiction of the United States shall have the same right in every State and Territory to make and enforce contracts, to sue, be parties, give evidence, and to the full and equal benefit of all laws and proceedings for the security of persons and property as is enjoyed by white citizens, and shall be subject to like punishment, pains, penalties, taxes, licenses and actions of every kind, and to no other.