Few things can ruin a person’s day faster than receiving a summons for jury duty in the mail. Seriously, it’s the worst. But one Florida man refused to let it get the best of him.
When Chuck Chapman reported for jury duty at the Duval County courthouse in Jacksonville, Florida on Tuesday, he had one goal: to protest Duval County Clerk of Courts Ronnie Fussell’s stance on same-sex marriage.
Even though same-sex marriage has been legally recognized in Florida for over a month, Duval County Clerk of Courts Ronnie Fussell has ordered his office to stop performing all marriages in an act of protest.
Chapman says he “regrets” that Clerk’s office isn’t “comfortable marrying same-sex individuals or anyone in the courthouse,” adding that “if they feel uncomfortable marrying same-sex people then I feel uncomfortable going in the courthouse.”
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“Ronnie Fussell is an elected official in this town,” he told FCN News. “It’s government for the people, by the people. I’m a citizen, a vote. I pay my taxes. Just because it’s across the board, his decision not to do it any longer, has me willing to make this statement.”
“I’m a taxpayer in this community,” Chapman added. “I’m a citizen in this community. My rights should be across the board just like anybody else has and anybody else wants and anybody else needs. It’s my rights as a citizen in Duval County and the state of Florida.”
When Chapmen presented his argument to a judge, he was released from jury duty.
“The clerk of the court said they would not perform anyone’s wedding, heterosexual, homosexual, anyone,” he said shortly after leaving the courthouse. “There were 1900 weddings performed in the courthouse in 2013. There’s a chapel in that courthouse for weddings. There’s money being lost on that courthouse because the clerks of the court do not feel comfortable marrying same-sex partners.”
“Until this community gets in a position and embraces diversity, we’ll never move forward,” Chapman concluded.
Related stories:
Gay Juror Fakes Illness To See West End Musical, Winds Up In Jail
Did You Know It’s Legal To Discriminate Against LGBT Jurors? (We Didn’t)
Lawsuit Tests Whether Jurors Can Be Dismissed Just For Being Gay
David
County Clerk of Courts Ronnie Fussell said in his oath of office he will defend and protect the U.S. Constitution so help him God. Here is what he is refusing to do:
“….This Constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof; and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land; and the judges in every state shall be bound thereby, anything in the Constitution or laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding.
The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the members of the several state legislatures, and all executive and judicial officers, both of the United States and of the several states, shall be bound by oath or affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.” – Article 6 U.S. Constitution.
And here is where he is disobeying God’s Law:
Leviticus 19:18 New International Version (NIV)
“‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience.” Romans 13:1-14 ESV
I wish him luck and hope he has a good lawyer when he faces God and has to deal with Matt. 25:31-46. Hopefully God will show Mr. Fussell more compassion than Mr. Fussell is showing other people.
dali
@David: David, you know, nobody’s going to read your comment, right?
NoCagada
@dali: Too many words and not enough pictures for you,princess?
jwtraveler
Jury duty is a civic duty, like voting and paying taxes. Our justice system could not run without people serving on juries. If you are ever in the position of being on trial or are ever involved in a lawsuit, you will want to know that the jurors are competent and committed citizens. Serving on a jury may not be exciting or enjoyable, but it is a responsibility to be taken seriously, not one to be dodged cleverly. Thinking you are too busy or important to serve jury duty is selfishness. I don’t think there was anything clever about what this man did. If he were excused from jury duty for being gay, he would complain that he was a victim of discrimination. It all just seems like arrogance and narcissism.
NoCagada
@jwtraveler: So are basic human rights