Protecting against hair discrimination is the goal of what's called the Crown Act now.

That's up again for consideration in Frankfurt.

A large group gathered in the Capitol Rotunda today in support of Senate Bill 230.

That's known as the Crown Act.

If passed, the bill would protect people of color from discrimination based on their natural hairstyles.

Ground laws have been passed in more than a dozen states, and supporters say they hope Kentucky will be next.

Tell me what democracy looks like.

Come on, y'all.

Tell me what democracy looks like.

There are people now that say, because of the texture of your hair, you shouldn't be protected because of their history.

You have your stories can be told right now in this very building.

There are people who do not want your history to be told.

They don't want your light to sign.

And so that's why you're here to sign your life anyway, because the crown that will pass, it will become law.

And it's because of your leadership.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr said that the arc of justice is long, but it bends toward freedom.

It bends toward justice.

We have to understand that this is just and it's right and we don't need to give up.

The Crown Act must become law in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

But we have to be persistent.

We cannot take no for an answer because discrimination in any form is wrong.

All right.

And you all have to stand up.

And we have to stand up with us and put having our.

Student in the classroom ready to learn is more important than what they are wearing and what their hair is doing that day.

We want to see this bill passed and become law.

And although we may not see that this year, don't want that.

Don't let that stop you.

This stuff right here.

This is how we're going to change the minds of legislators.

This is how we're going to make the change.

This is how we're going to bring about the change.

That we want to see.

As a black woman, we are going to be judged.

When we walked in the room.

Not on our character, on a not on not merits, but because the color of our skin.

And so with that, I just want to say y'all.

So let's hold your heads high, black girls for our crowns do not need to be straight into the formal.

They do not need to be cut to be with a man and a girl, which is a testament to our resilience.

So let's continue to demand the respect we deserve because of and celebrate our heritage and pave the way for future generations going forward based on.

The Senate bill, 230 faces an uphill battle this session.

It has yet to be assigned to a committee.

And after today, there are just ten working days left in the 2024 General Assembly session.