This depends on the area. When the US Supreme Court declared the legality of interracial marriage in 1967, it didn't mean other states followed suit directly after. The case was filed in Virginia when the Lovings, White male and black female married within the District of Columbia. This was because of Virginia's ban on interracial marriage, but it wasn't considered legal as their law also barred against leaving the state to marry and return. The Judge was quoted "'Almighty God created the races white, black, yellow, Malay and red, and he placed them on separate continents. And but for the interference with his arrangement there would be no cause for such marriages. The fact that he separated the races shows that he did not intend for the races to mix.'"

They were first indicted by a grand jury, then upheld by the Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. This is where the Supreme Court came in. The states at this time which were for the ban of interracial marriage were: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia. A total of 15 states.

We can assume that Virginia as a state (not everyone as a whole) was represented by their grand jury, judges, etc.

In an article written by Carl Rowan of the Boston Globe, Carl claims in high hopes that the Virginia case will make its way towards the Supreme Court. He gives multiple examples of the old arguments used by many people to uphold the ban on interracial marriage such as: The creation of inferior offspring, the increase of interracial marriages, a health risk as non-whites are more susceptible to disease, increase of social tension, it would cause a retrogression of human intellect and the creation of more 'dregs' within society. Carl is obviously for the case being unconstitutional as his state declared the law unconstitutional. Carl believed that this was a pivotal moment within the United States and would be a deciding factor if we would have moved forward or regressed as a nation.

After the case was ruled over the first marriage between two races within Tennessee happened a half-year later. Rev. Brady Johnson married James Todd a Navy Airman. This really just goes to show that even in areas where racial tensions were high, there were people willing to take the chance and be with the people they love.

From what I've looked up it seems there are multiple opinions being given. Through the news articles, it seemed to be more matter of fact and to the point of what the case was about without leaning towards a certain stance. Though Carl, and the Chicago tribune seemed to be more favorable towards the rejection of the Ban. Even the article speaking about the marriage in Tennessee didn't seem to lean much. The immediate reaction was one of elation by many people who believed in the equality of man and woman, black and white as we see written by Carl. Though I'm sure Virginia, and many other southern states weren't quite so happy and even if you did marry in those areas the ostracization would have been severe I'm sure.

I can say that people definitely had their opinions on the matter, especially the Virginia Supreme Court. There were millions of people that were for and against, but I don't think there were people jumping up and down in the streets, but people did move forward and marry within states that originally banned the marriage. Chief Justice Earl Warren who gave the opinion of the Supreme Court cited that not only was it against the 14th amendment but strictly against the fundamental rights of mankind. It was the 'pursuit of happiness' that was the real argument. It was and is the right of all free men to be able to pursue happiness. The government directly stepping in and blocking that right is unconstitutional.

I personally find this to be a large step forward for America as it was lagging behind, but there are people I'm sure that were happy about the ruling. The Lovings I'm sure were quite delighted, while the KKK and other white supremacy groups were furious. NAACP and other Civil Rights group were elated. Everyone has their own level of acceptance though.

And I apologize as I couldn't really find any opinion articles written by regular citizens. http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=US&vol=388&invol=1 This holds the opinion written by the Chief Justice if you would like to read it.

First legal interracial knot tied in tennessee. (1968, Jan 15). Chicago Daily Defender (Daily Edition) (1960-1973). Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/494323555?accountid=14541

Donovan, R. J. (1967, Jun 13). Ban on interracial marriages struck down by 9-0 decision. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File). Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/155668802?accountid=14541

Carl rowan on court-testing interracial marriage bans. (1966, Apr 13). Boston Globe (1960-1982). Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/366586989?accountid=14541