figured you'd appreciate an update... heres the local story on his resignation....
http://www.wwltv.com/home/wwl110309cbbardwell-68954512.html
Justice of the peace who refused to marry interracial couple resigns
by Michael Luke / Eyewitness News
Posted on November 3, 2009 at 4:16 PM
Updated Wednesday, Nov 4 at 7:27 AM
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PONTCHATOULA, La. -- The Tangipahoa Parish justice of the peace who would not marry an interracial couple has resigned, according to Louisiana Secretary of State Jay Dardenne.
Keith Bardwell, who had over 30 years of experience as a justice of the peace, officially resigned Tuesday, saying in a statement to the Dardenne, "I do hereby resign the office of Justice of the Peace for the Eighth Ward of Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, effective November 3, 2009."
Bardwell drew heavy criticism in the New Orleans metro area, statewide and nationally after he refused to marry Beth Humphrey, who is white, and Terrance McKay, who is black, explaining that in his experience that the children from interracial couples were rarely accepted by society.
"First they asked, they said is this is an interracial couple," said Beth Humphrey, recalling when she called Bardwells wife Betty to get married on Oct. 6. "I was kind of shocked and overwhelmed ... I was like excuse me, and she was like, Are you guys interracial? I said yes and she said they wouldn't do our wedding."
Almost immediately public officials began decrying Bardwells decision. Tangipahoa Parish President Gordon Burgess released a statement condemning his actions. "Mr. Bardwell's views are not consistent with my views or the views of Tangipahoa Parish Government," he wrote in an e-mail.
As the fervor grew against Bardwell, he, however, didnt back down from his action: "I stand by my decision, and it is my right not to marry an interracial couple, it's wrong," he told WAFB shortly after the story became public.
"I would hope that Mr. Bardwell would consider offering his resignation if he is unable to serve all of the people of his district and our parish," said Burgess.
Betty Bardwell said she did not refuse to marry the couple. "I gave her the information that she needed to get her marriage license and to get her marriage and she got married," But when asked why the couple was not able to get married through Keith Bardwell, she said "Well, for one thing, her life was a little bit too complicated to suite our schedule."
As for whether it had anything to do with the color of the couple skin, she added, "I'm not going to answer that question."
The reaction from the community was mixed, as some recognized racism in society, while others supported Bardwell.
"You want to say that prejudice is not as bad as it used to be," said Gloria Levi, a resident of Loranger, a nearby community. "But there's still a lot of hidden prejudice."
"I think black out to stay with black myself," said James Mulkey, a friend of Keith Bardwell. "I ain't going to say I'm prejudice, then again, I ain't going to let one of them marry one of my daughters."
Gov. Bobby Jindal called Bardwells action "a clear violation of constitutional rights and federal and state law."
"Mr. Bardwell's actions should be fully reviewed by the Judiciary Commission and disciplinary action should be taken immediately - including the revoking of his license."