Background
An Interracial couple married outside of Virginia before shortly moving to Virginia. they then violated a bill that banned interracial marriage within the state of Virginia.
Issue
Is a law prohibiting interracial marriage a violation of the 14th amendment's equal protection clause?
Decision
It is indeed a violation of the 14th.
Majority: Clark, Warren, Black, Douglas, Harlan, Brennan, Stewart, White, Fortas
My Opinion
The law is most certainly in violation of the 14th amendment. According to the equal protection clause, "no state shall... deny to any person with its jurisdiction the equal protection of the law". This mean that all laws shall be applied and enforced equally to all citizens of the United States. Therefore, this bill is, which only applies to certain people, must be tested with strict scrutiny. Upon review, there is no reason the state can present that allows this law to be seen as necessary "to a compelling end".
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