GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — June 12 is Loving Day, marking 57 years since the landmark Supreme Court decision legalizing interracial marriage in the U.S.
Back in 1958, police stormed into the Virginia home of Richard and Mildred Loving. The two were arrested and convicted – all for being married – because Richard was a white man and Mildred, a Black and Native American woman.
Their marriage violated Virginia’s Racial Integrity Act of 1924.
The couple sought the help of U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, who directed them to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Their lawyers with the ACLU would go on to take the case all the way to the Supreme Court.
Then, on June 12, 1967, the court unanimously struck down Virginia’s ban on interracial marriage, overturning the Loving’s conviction and legalizing interracial marriage across the country.
It’s a case that has helped to shape so many of our American families today, yet this is still a little-known piece of history.
Edye Evans Hyde is the founder and executive producer of Ebony Road Players, a Black theater in Grand Rapids. She told 13 ON YOUR SIDE that she found out about the Lovings several years after she, herself, became part of an interracial marriage. She and her husband are celebrating 45 years this month.
Evans Hyde says while many people don’t know the story, she believes it’s one of the most important civil rights we have.
“The Civil Rights Movement was about everyone having those particular rights and this was a couple that went through a lot for this to happen. There are so many multiracial, multicultural families that are in the United States right now that I don’t think really get a chance to really talk about how bringing that culture together gives an understanding of other people that are not like you,” said Evans Hyde.
There are two events happening Saturday, June 15 in honor of Loving Day. First, Loving Day at 11 a.m. at the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, an event for the whole family with hands-on activities and multicultural book readings.
Then, at 4 p.m., Loving in GR will be at the Grand Rapids Public Museum and is described as a June wedding in Grand Rapids celebrating the humanity of love complete with a wedding cake.
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