HAMMOND, LA - Louisiana’s governor and other top officials called for the ouster of a justice of the peace who refused to issue a marriage license to an interracial couple.

“This is a clear violation of constitutional rights and federal and state law,” Gov. Bobby Jindal said. “Disciplinary action should be taken immediately, including the revoking of his license.”

Jindal called on the state judiciary committee to look into why Keith Bardwell, a white justice of the peace for Tangipahoa Parish’s 8th Ward, refused to issue the marriage license to Hammond residents Beth Humphrey and her boyfriend, Terence McKay, CNN reported. Humphey, 30, is white, and McKay, 32, is black.

U.S. Sen. Mary L. Landrieu, D-La, said the judiciary committee should “use its authority to have Justice Bardwell dismissed from his position.”

“Not only does his decision directly contradict Supreme Court rulings, it is an example of the ugly bigotry that divided our country for too long,” she said.         (PTI)