Recognition

Los Angeles, California

Loving Day Resolution Los Angeles 06/15/12

City of Los Angeles
State of California

RESOLUTION
Loving Day

WHEREAS, Mildred Jeter Loving and Richard Perry Loving married for love; and

WHEREAS, in 1958, the Commonwealth of Virginia had an existing anti-miscegenation law (The Racial Integrity Act) that criminalized marriage between whites and other races; and

WHEREAS, the Loving’s were compelled to get married in Washington D.C. (where it was legal), but was arrested after returning to Virginia since it was illegal to marry in another state and return to Virginia; and

WHEREAS, on January 6, 1959, the Loving’s pled guilty and were sentenced to one year in prison, with the sentence suspended for 25 years on the condition that the couple leave the state of Virginia. The Loving’s fought the law, taking their case to the Supreme Court,; and

WHEREAS, the Supreme Court ruled on June 12, 1967 that Virginia’s anti-miscegenation statute violated both the Due Process clause and Equal Protection clause of the 14th Amendment; and

WHEREAS, Loving v. Virginia was a landmark case, both in the history of race relations in the United States and in the ongoing political cultural dispute over the proper definition of marriage; and

WHEREAS, on June 12, 2007, Mildred Loving issued a rare public statement, which commented on same-sex marriage, prepared for delivery on the fortieth anniversary of the Loving v. Virginia decision of the U.S. Supreme Court. The concluding paragraphs of her statement read as follows:

“I am still not a political person, but I am proud that Richard’s and my name is on a court case that can help reinforce the love, the commitment, the fairness, and the family that so many people, black or white, young or old, gay or straight seek in life. I support the freedom to marry for all. That’s what Loving, and loving, are all about”; and

WHEREAS, Ken Tanabe established the Loving Day Project to commemorate the anniversary of the Loving decision every year on around June 12th, with the goal of Loving Day to be celebrated nationwide by assisting with the development of events around the country; and

WHEREAS, with the support of the Loving Day Project, The MIXED ROOTS FILM and LITERARY FESTIVAL is celebrating its 5th year of providing a place to share our stories through film, spoken work, literature and comedy:

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that by the adoption of this resolution, the Los Angeles City Council does hereby declare Friday, June 15, 2012 as LOVING DAY in the City of Los Angeles, remembering the landmark decision that made it possible for everyone to have the freedom to marry.

RESOLUTION BY

I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing resolution was adopted by the Council of the City of Los Angeles at its meeting held June 15, 2012.

(Signed)
President of the Council

(Signed)
Councilmember 5th District

(Signed)
MAYOR

Seconded by all councilmembers:

(Signed)
Councilmember 1st District

(Signed)
Councilmember 2nd District

(Signed)
Councilmember 3rd District

(Signed)
Councilmember 4th District

(Signed)
Councilmember 5th District

(Signed)
Councilmember 6th District

(Signed)
Councilmember 7th District

(Signed)
Councilmember 8th District

(Signed)
Councilmember 10th District

(Signed)
Councilmember 11th District

(Signed)
Councilmember 12th District

(Signed)
Councilmember 13th District

(Signed)
Councilmember 14th District

(Signed)
Councilmember 15th District

(Signed)
City Attorney

(Signed)
City Controller

ATTEST:

(Signed)
City Clerk

Details

Recognition Date: June 15, 2012
Recognition Credit: Mixed Roots Film and Literary Festival
City: Los Angeles
State (if in the U.S.): California
Country: United States