Arizona initiative seeks constitutional ban on same-sex marriages News
Arizona initiative seeks constitutional ban on same-sex marriages

[JURIST] Supporters of an Arizona initiative seeking a ban on same-sex marriages and legal recognition of unmarried couples launched their public campaign Tuesday on the one year anniversary of the Massachusetts Supreme Court's decision [text] legalizing gay marriage. While Arizona law already prohibits same sex unions, supporters of the ban such as the Center for Arizona Policy [advocacy group] claim an amendment is necessary to prohibit judges from overturning the existing law. The Arizona Human Rights Fund [advocacy group] and other groups have criticized the initiative for its overbreadth in impacting straight couples as well as gay couples. The campaign puts Arizona among at least a dozen states with same sex marriage issues on their 2006 ballots. The initiative must receive signatures from 183,917 registered voters to pass. AP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Laws of Burgos put into effect

The Spanish Crown put the Laws of Burgos into effect on December 27, 1512. These laws governed the relationship of Spanish settlers with the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean. The laws established the encomienda system of labor, promoted conversion to Catholicism, and safeguarded the indigenous peoples from physical abuse.  However, historians argue that the laws were ineffective at protecting the rights of the indigenous population. Learn more from the Library of Congress.

Prohibitionist Carrie Nation carried out her first public bar smashing

On December 27, 1900, militant Prohibitionist Carrie Nation carried out her first public smashing of a bar, at the Carey Hotel in Wichita, Kansas. Nation argued that destroying bars was an acceptable means of battling the liquor trade since the Kansas Constitution prohibited alcohol. Learn more about Carrie Nation.

World Bank created

On December 27, 1944, the World Bank was created during the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, USA. Learn more about the history of the World Bank.