Louisiana Judge Steps Down Amid Interracial Marriage Controversy

Posted on Nov 3, 2009

Flickr / Rainer Ebert

We can’t be certain why Louisiana Justice of the Peace Keith Bardwell quit his post Tuesday because his one-sentence resignation doesn’t say, but we can guess it has something to do with his refusal to preside over an interracial marriage—and the public outcry that soon followed.

The Rev. Madison Shockley has generated some controversy of his own—or at least a lively debate—with an opinion piece on Truthdig linking Bardwell’s action to the gay marriage campaign.  —PZS

AP via New York Times:

A Louisiana justice of the peace who refused to marry a couple because the bride was white and groom was black resigned Tuesday.

Keith Bardwell, who is white, quit the post with a one-sentence statement to Louisiana Secretary of State Jay Dardenne and no explanation of his decision: “I do hereby resign the office of Justice of the Peace for the Eighth Ward of Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, effective November 3, 2009.”

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