Friday, June 12, 2015

John Malveaux: New York Times: June 13, 1967 Justices Upset All Bans On Interracial Marriage 9-0 Decision Rules Out Virginia Law - 15 Other States Are Affected

Mildred and Richard Loving in 1967
(Wikipedia)

John Malveaux of 
writes:


The New York Times

June 13, 1967

Justices Upset All Bans On Interracial Marriage

9-0 Decision Rules Out Virginia Law - 15 Other
States Affected                                                                                              


Special to The New York Times


ASHINGTON, June 12 -- The Supreme Court ruled unanimously today that states cannot outlaw marriages between whites and nonwhites. The opinion by Chief Justice Earl Warren was directed specifically at the antimiscegenation laws of Virginia, which had been challenged by Richard P. Loving, a white man, and his part-Negro, part-Indian wife, Mildred.

However, the wording was sufficiently broad and disapproving to leave no doubt that the antimiscegenation laws of 15 other states are also now void.
``We have consistently denied the constitutionality of measures which restrict the rights of citizens on account of race,'' segregation laws to remain standing - those requiring separation of the races in marriage - Chief Justice Warren completed the process that he set in motion with his opinion in 1954 that declared segregation in public schools to be unconstitutional. 

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