Interracial couple denied marriage license in Louisiana

HAMMOND, La. - A Louisiana justice of the peace said he refused to issue a marriage license to an interracial couple out of concern for any children the couple might have.

Keith Bardwell, justice of the peace in Tangipahoa Parish, says it is his experience that most interracial marriages do not last long.

Neither Bardwell nor the couple immediately returned phone calls from The Associated Press. But Bardwell told the Daily Star of Hammond that he was not a racist.

"I do ceremonies for black couples right here in my house," Bardwell said. "My main concern is for the children."

Bardwell said he has discussed the topic with blacks and whites, along with witnessing some interracial marriages. He came to the conclusion that most of black society does not readily accept offspring of such relationships, and neither does white society, he said.

"I don't do interracial marriages because I don't want to put children in a situation they didn't bring on themselves," Bardwell said. "In my heart, I feel the children will later suffer."

If he does an interracial marriage for one couple, he must do the same for all, he said.

"I try to treat everyone equally," he said.

Thirty-year-old Beth Humphrey and 32-year-old Terence McKay, both of Hammond, say they will consult the U.S. Justice Department about filing a discrimination complaint.

Humphrey told the newspaper she called Bardwell on Oct. 6 to inquire about getting a marriage license signed. She says Bardwell's wife told her that Bardwell will not sign marriage licenses for interracial couples.

"It is really astonishing and disappointing to see this come up in 2009," said American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana attorney Katie Schwartzman. "The Supreme Court ruled as far back as 1963 that the government cannot tell people who they can and cannot marry."

The ACLU was preparing a letter for the Louisiana Supreme Court, which oversees the state justices of the peace, asking them to investigate Bardwell and see if they can remove him from office, Schwartzman said.

"He knew he was breaking the law, but continued to do it," Schwartzman said.

According to the clerk of court's office, application for a marriage license must be made three days before the ceremony because there is a 72-hour waiting period. The applicants are asked if they have previously been married. If so, they must show how the marriage ended, such as divorce.

Other than that, all they need is a birth certificate and Social Security card.

The license fee is $35, and the license must be signed by a Louisiana minister, justice of the peace or judge. The original is returned to the clerk's office.

Source
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091015...Ec2VjA3luX3RvcF9zdG9yeQRzbGsDaW50ZXJyYWNpYWxj

 

when was this published in 1912?

 

Try a week ago.

 

Son of a #$%^$!!!! This crap is still happening in 2009?!?!?!? :smt068

I am sure they will get satisfaction by going up the chain of command, but it is incredibly galling that they even have to take this step. Somehow I doubt his "concern" for the offspring, someone should let this guy know that OUR PRESIDENT is the result of the incredible power and wonder of an IR union!

 

Meanwhile, just 10 miles away, the local high school was deciding what theme they should use for their segregated prom next year.

 

i dont even know why people would continue to reside in that piece of shit.

BUT.....on the other hand, you should not have to move away, to enjoy your free-will. What gives that idiot the right, to strip away the ability to marry the person you love.

 

Hammond has a population just over 17K, this shouldn't be shocking to anybody.

 

on the real, that's some sucka shit...

id raise up outta there

 

OMG

I hate that!

Oh u date black??? and what when u will get pregnant??? did u think about that, what u are doing to ur child???

Yes there are times I still hear that!

God damn that is none of ur fucking buisness! Mind ur own stuff!!!!!!
that would cause much less trouble for all, in this fucking sick world!!!

 

This makes me sick. It sounds like something that would happen in my home state.

One day, when (hopefully) Nate and I get married, I'd like to see someone try this kind of crap with me. Loooord the stir I'd cause.

I love it when people give me an excuse to exercise my rights as an American citizen. Makes me feel warm and fuzzy to watch their asses burn in the public eye.

 

This is so disheartening on so many levels I don't even know where to begin.

 

Unfortunately, this isn't this shocking. Racism is still alive and rampant.

 

I completely agree.

 

My bi-racial ass would have gone crazy on this motherfucker. I feel plenty accepted. He needs to take his country ass above the fucking Mason-Dixon line one time.:smt093

 

Men and women should be able to marry whoever they want. This is pretty crazy!! I will say this, I feel we as country, are more racially divided than ever before, and its getting worse. Feels like this country is coming apart when it comes to race. Anybody else feel that way???

 

show us how you feel, amanda



(wonder if that'll work)

 

Okay they said he's done this to other IR couples a few more times recently so why is he still being allowed to serve on the bench?!

 

I heard about this on the local Lafayette news just tonight. This is truly sad but not too surprising. I can understand him wanting to be consistent and not do IR ceremonies for anyone, but the reasoning is just stupid. IR couples have really always existed in Louisiana, although behind the scenes, and people have lived with it. And children of this union cannot truly be believed to result any worse than an all-white or all-black couple with the proper parenting. The fact is it's just his way to limit the amount of official IR unions which are in his surrounding area. But as these young people are proving these days, you can't stop the inevitable.

 

because he's in Bumfuk, Louisiana???

just a hunch

 

The judges excuse is clearly a front - like he really believes that just because he refuses to wed these couples that they then will not have kids??
Logic: If I dont marry them, they will not have kids/
Eh?

I mean seriously PLEASE!