Question

civil rights leaders wanted a strong federal law that would
punish southern states that had discriminatory laws.
outlaw all discrimination on the basis of race.
end gender discrimination in the workplace.
give african americans the right to vote.

Explanation:

Civil rights leaders in the mid-20th century U.S. focused core efforts on ending racial discrimination nationwide. While voting rights and addressing Southern discriminatory laws were part of the movement, the broad, strong federal law they pushed for (like the Civil Rights Act of 1964) aimed to outlaw all racial discrimination in public spaces, employment, etc. Gender workplace discrimination was not the primary focus of this specific push, and voting rights were addressed via separate legislation (Voting Rights Act of 1965).

Answer:

outlaw all discrimination on the basis of race.