The bill was called for by President John F. Kennedy in his Report to the American People on Civil Rights of June 11 , 1963 , in which he asked for legislation `` giving all Americans the right to be served in facilities which are open to the public -- hotels , restaurants , theaters , retail stores , and similar establishments '' , as well as `` greater protection for the right to vote '' . Kennedy delivered this speech following the immediate aftermath of the Birmingham campaign and the growing number of demonstrations and protests throughout the southern United States . Kennedy was moved to action following the elevated racial tensions and wave of black riots in the spring 1963 .

Question: who does the civil rights act of 1964 protect
Answer: all Americans