Libertarian presidential candidate to stump in South Bend

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson is bringing his campaign to northern Indiana.

Johnson was set to speak to a political science class at Indiana University-South Bend on Wednesday afternoon before attending a Wednesday evening event with Libertarian gubernatorial canbdidate Rupert Boneham in the Shelby County town of Fairland, about 20 miles southeast of Indianapolis.

He's also scheduled to participate in a town hall forum at Marian University in Indianapolis on Thursday.

It's Johnson's third campaign visit to Indiana. He's a former governor of New Mexico.

In a statement released Tuesday, Johnson urged Minnesota voters to defeat a proposed state constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. The Minnesota Same-Sex Marriage Amendment, referred to voters by the legislature, would define marriage as between one man and one woman.

Stating his opposition to the amendment, Johnson said, Just last week, a federal court in New York ruled the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) unconstitutional and that was the correct decision. Denying committed couples the right to marry under the law is discrimination, plain and simple. While different faiths may choose not to perform or recognize same-sex marriage, the government has no business deciding who should be allowed to marry.

While as a former governor, I am a staunch supporter of States Rights, when it comes to what I firmly believe is a constitutionally protected right to equality, the states have no right to discriminate. I do not agree with President Obama that the federal government should defer to states, allowing them to choose to deny their residents the equal right to marry.

I hope Minnesota voters will reject this attempt to enshrine discrimination in their states Constitution, and urge them to reject Amendment 1.

As a Libertarian, I believe there is much that government does and tries to do to interfere in our personal lives that it simply has no business doing. I am proud to join with Minnesota Libertarians in taking a stand against discrimination and the idea that government should be imposing moral values on free people.

I also commend Minnesotans United for All Families for their leadership in opposing Amendment 1. The breadth and width of the coalition that has joined to protect equality is truly gratifying, and I am pleased to join with that coalition in this very important battle.

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Libertarian presidential candidate to stump in South Bend

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