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October 16, 2009

Louisiana Justice of Peace Refuses to Marry Interracial Couple
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A Louisiana couple is considering filing a federal discrimination
complaint after a justice of the peace in Louisiana refused to marry
them because they are an interracial couple. Keith Bardwell, the justice
of the peace in Tangipahoa Parish, said, "I’m not a racist. I just don’t
believe in mixing the races that way.” Bardwell said he asks everyone
who calls about marriage if they are a mixed-race couple. If they are,
he refuses to marry them. The American Civil Liberties Union has called
on the Louisiana Judiciary Committee to severely sanction Bardwell.



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