John –
56 years ago, the United States Supreme Court’s landmark decision in
Loving v. Virginia struck down all laws banning interracial marriage.
Today, we celebrate this anniversary as Loving Day – a recognition of this watershed moment in our fight for justice and equal protection of the law.
As the daughter of an African-American father and a Korean immigrant mother, this is personal.
Before the Court’s decision in
Loving, anti-miscegenation laws were on the books in states across the nation – particularly the American South.
But in 1967, the highest court in our land struck down these discriminatory laws and sent a clear message: love is love.
Decades later, the Supreme Court would invoke
Loving as precedent as they legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. And just last year, I was honored to vote for the Respect for Marriage Act, which codified
Loving and enshrined protections for interracial and same-sex marriages into federal law.
So today, let’s celebrate the progress we’ve made – and let’s keep fighting for equality and justice for all Americans.
Thanks for everything,
Marilyn
