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Virginia still has dozens of racist and discriminatory laws on its books, report says

McLEAN, Va. – Virginia still has dozens of racist laws on its books that enforced segregation and racial inequality, a commission to study the state's legislation found in an interim report released Thursday.

Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam, who created the commission in June, vowed to work with the Democrat-controlled legislature taking office in January to strike the laws as official status from Virginia's code, following the commission's reccomendation.

Many of the laws are null and void today as other laws and rulings have overridden them. However, they remain as "vestiges of Virginia's segregationist past," said Chief Deputy Attorney General Cynthia Hudson, who chaired the commission.

"We should not afford them the distinction of that official status," she added.

The report also notes that it only looked at laws in the state’s Acts of Assembly from 1900 to 1960, with a special focus on periods tied to Reconstruction, the rise of the Ku Klux Klan and school desegregation. Many other racist laws may still be on the books from a different period, the report says.

Among the discriminatory laws the report cites: the state's "Massive Resistance" strategy to block federal mandates to integrate schools, a poll tax aimed at black voters, the prohibition of interracial marriage and segregation of transportation, health care and housing.

When looking at the effects of these many laws, the report states that it is "painfully clear that Virginia is a long way from true racial equity."

Northam established the commission months after scandal rocked the Virginia executive when a photo featuring blackface and KKK garb on his page in his medical school year book came to light. He faced a chorus of call to resign, including from many prominent Democrats.

The governor refused to step down but said he would focus his term on addressing racial inequality in Virginia's past.

"It is time that Virginia take steps to right old wrongs," Northam said Thursday at an event announcing the commission's findings.

"I want Virginians to know our full and true story, and I also want us to build a Virginia where everyone feels welcome," he added. "Language that discriminates, whether or not that language still has the force of law, is part of our past, not our future."

No recommendations were made concerning acts related to Confederate statues and and the Confederacy. The commission said it would wait on pending litigation and possible upcoming legislation before making a recommendation.

"The Commission understands the sensitive nature of this topic both in terms of its complexity and its historical legacy, and seeks to be appropriately mindful of the history of this era while also acknowledging the state’s role in funding Confederate memorials, monuments, and public benefits," the report states.

Contributing: The Associated Press. Follow USA TODAY's Ryan Miller on Twitter @RyanW_Miller

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