Jul 28, 2014
North Carolina Attorney General To Stop Defending State's Marriage Ban
Photo by @DerickWallerTV
Raleigh, NC, July 28, 2014 — Roy Cooper, North Carolina's Democratic attorney general, said at a Monday press conference that he would no longer defend his state's constitutional ban, citing the precedent the Virginia ruling had set.
"Our attorneys have vigorously argued this case every step of the way," Cooper said. "But the 4th Circuit has ruled and the 4th Circuit is clear. There are really no arguments left to be made."
Since the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit also has jurisdiction over North Carolina, South Carolina and West Virginia, Cooper predicted his state's ban would face a similar fate.
"Today we know our law almost certainly will be overturned as well," he said at the press conference.
EQUALITY NC RESPONDS TO ATTORNEY GENERAL'S STATEMENT
"The 4th Circuit has spoken and Attorney General Roy Cooper's statements today reflect the new reality for North Carolina's constitutional ban on the freedom to marry: that it is indefensible, it is unconstitutional, and it should no longer deny North Carolina's loving, same-gender couples from fully participating in our society," said Chris Sgro, Executive Director of Equality NC, North Carolina's statewide LGBT advocacy organization. "While we continue to look to the Supreme Court to provide a final, national resolution to this rising call for marriage equality in our home state and beyond, it’s now up to our state leaders to help us stand on the right side of history—and with the people of North Carolina—by no longer defending this discriminatory marriage ban."