The below comments were made by a leading opponent of marriage equality on the steps of the Miami Courthouse following a two hour hearing in a lawsuit to end Florida's marriage ban.
These comments are outrageous under any circumstance. They are particularly despicable on the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act.
We are confident that the judge will not be intimidated by these vague threats but will rule according to the law, just as 22 judges across the country have in finding such bans unconstitutional.
Transcript: Dr. Eladio Jose Armesto, Chairman of Florida Democratic League, July 2, 2014
Dr. Armesto: "...Constitution, which she has gotten the power to do. Then she would be having no power to rule. Her judgment would be null and void. 'Cause no one can rule against the constitution that authorizes her to do it. She would be doing no more or no less than the Ku Klux Klan did in the early century, early part of the last century, where they hanged people for going out to vote. The people of FL have voted. It is up to Judge Zabel to respect that vote, uphold her oath of office and uphold the constitution. This is nothing more than a judicial lynching of the people of FL. This is a mockery of justice, it's a travesty. And Judge Zabel, is she was a law abiding judge should have thrown this lawsuit out from the very first instance because it violates her authority, her dignity, and her integrity as a member of the judiciary..." [Emphasis added]
(Reporter asks what he thinks she will do.)
Armesto: "I don't know how she's going to vote. I hope that she will uphold her oath of office, otherwise she will be in big trouble."
Watch the video here: