Louisiana judge Keith Bardwell, who refused to give a marriage license to an interracial couple, has quit. This decision will come into force on Tuesday.
Several politicians have demanded the resignation of the JP. He did not explain his step but only said, "I do hereby resign the office of Justice of the Peace for the Eighth Ward of Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, effective November 3, 2009."
Some time ago he was not willing to marry a white woman and a black man; another official had to issue the marriage license. About his decision, he said that he wouldn't be a racist and was worried about the effect the marriage would have on children.
