Office of the Mayor
Proclamation
Whereas: Mildred and Richard Loving, an interracial couple from Virginia, were arrested in 1958 for violating Virginia’s felony law prohibiting interracial marriage; and
WHEREAS, the Loving family bravely took their case to the United States Supreme Court and won, overturning their conviction in a landmark 1967 civil rights ruling known as Loving v Virginia; and
WHEREAS, this victory overturned all laws banning interracial marriage nationwide based on the Due Process and Equal Protection clauses of the 14th Amendment; and
WHEREAS, collectively, we should fight to preserve our hard-won civil rights and freedoms, including the right to marry people from other racial or ethnic groups, and never take them for granted; and
WHEREAS, the City of Oxford is home to a growing number of interracial and multiracial families; and
WHEREAS, an annual celebration known as Loving Day is held on June 12th in communities throughout the nation to commemorate and celebrate the anniversary of the 1967 Loving v Virginia victory.
NOW, THEREFORE, be it proclaimed that the City Council does hereby proclaim June 12, 2023, as
“Loving Day”
In the City of Oxford, and invites everyone to recognize this day as a celebration of multiculturalism and to reflect on Richard and Mildred Loving and all of the brave people who have and will continue to fight for the civil right and freedom to love.
(Seal) CITY OF OXFORD
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of Oxford to be affixed this 6th day of June 2023.
(Signed) WILLIAM B. SNAVELY, MAYOR
