Official won’t wed mixed-race couple

• Advocate news services
• Published: Oct 16, 2009 - Page: 1A

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A Hammond justice of the peace said he would not sign a marriage license for an interracial couple because he is concerned about the children of such marriages.

The couple involved in the incident said they plan to consult the U.S. Justice Department about the matter, which occurred last week.

Justice of the Peace Keith Bardwell, who is white, told The Advocate on Thursday that whenever a couple calls him to do a marriage, he always asks if they are of the same race.

If they aren’t, he said, he directs them to another justice of the peace.

He said that in this case, he spoke later to another justice of the peace who did perform  the ceremony for the couple.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana is preparing a letter to the Louisiana Supreme Court, which oversees the Louisiana Justices of the Peace and Constables Association, asking that group to investigate Bardwell and see if he can be removed from office, said attorney Katie Schwartzman of the ACLU.

“It is really astonishing and disappointing to see this come up in 2009,” she said.

“The Supreme Court ruled as far back as 1963 that the government cannot tell people who they can and cannot marry.

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

The Advocate could not reach the couple for comment.

Beth Humphrey, 30, and Terence McKay, 32, both of Hammond, told the Daily Star of Hammond that they would consult the U.S. Justice Department about filing a discrimination complaint regarding the Oct. 6 incident.

Bardwell said late Thursday that he had not received any complaint from state or federal officials.

“A justice of the peace does not have to marry anybody,” Bardwell said.