There are too many examples online showing Rand Paul speaking up against the civil rights movement. Simply googling it, I came up with a multitude of examples. This one however, seems to dominate the search engines.
In was an interview with NPR, Paul displayed his utter ignorance when it comes to civil rights.
Questioner: But under your philosophy it would be okay for Dr. King to not be served at the counter at Woolworths?
Rand Paul: I would not go to that Woolworth’s, and I would stand up in my community and say it’s abhorrent. um… But the hard part, and this is the hard part about believing in freedom is, if you believe in the First Amendment, for example, you to, for example– most good defenders will believe in abhorrent groups standing up and saying awful things, and we’re here at the bastion of newspaperdom (sic) and I’m sure you believe in the First Amendment, so I’m sure you understand people can say bad things. It’s the same way with other behaviors. In a free society we will tolerate boorish people who have abhorrent behavior, but if we’re civilized people we publicly criticize that and don’t belong to those groups or associate with those people.
In Rand Paul’s world the benefits awarded under the civil rights act would not apply to those who needs it most.
His sentiments prompted a response from Joan Walsh. She said said Paul and the Tea Party “wants to revoke the Great Society, the New Deal and the laws that were the result of the civil rights movement.”
But Paul is running for president in 2016 and and right now he is in damage control mode. His feelings about the civil rights act have apparently changed. This is what he said today.
“Tomorrow, July 2nd, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It is simply unimaginable to think what modern America would be like if not for the brave men and women who stood up for the rights of all Americans. This legislation changed the future of our nation by enforcing the belief that all men and women are created equal. We must continue to build an America that our children-of every race, creed and color-deserve.”
