A justice of the peace refused to marry an interracial couple. Bardwell refused to sign a marriage license for the couple stating he didn't think it was good for the children. This is in Louisiana. Wow. I didn't think this was even legal in the United States. What does he care if the couple want to wed? Can he do this?
He claims he's not racist, but is acting only for concern for the children of such a marriage.
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Comments: 18
No, he can't do that. In fact, if he really did deny a marriage license, he's in serious trouble and the local government that he was acting on behalf of is going to have to pay some serious monetary damages. Their civil rights were obviously violated.
I suspect that here is some other factor besides race that we do not know about. If that was indeed the case, their civil rights might not have been violated after all. We re really don't have enough information to make judgment.
Incidentally, Erik, how can that be a fact? What independent research was done to conclude that he is destined to be in serious trouble?
Okay, marriage is a privilege (not a fundamental basic right by any means), but without legal grounds to disapprove of a marriage, I don't see how he could get away with refusing.
Perhaps there is some other extenuating circumstance such as substandard living conditions or mental retardation.
What about couples that cannot conceive? Would he refuse them also?
Mooch
I think preachers have a choice as to whom to marry. I don't think J.P.s have the flexibility to act as they please. I think it is the person (clerk?) issuing the marriage license that has the say so on whom can marry, not the J.P.