After starting the process over two years ago, lawmakers and advocates are one step closer to renaming the Poff Federal Building after Roanoke civil rights lawyer Reuben Lawson.

Roanoke City Council unanimously approved a resolution to support federal legislation to change the name of the Richard H. Poff Federal Building to the Reuben E. Lawson building.

A Roanoke-based lawyer who has also served as the United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia is asking lawmakers to consider a name change for the Poff Federal Building in downtown.

The protesters said they chose to gather on Independence Day because they felt that their rights are being taken away.