WASHINGTON, Jan. 23, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Family Research Council (FRC) President Tony Perkins released the following statement after a federal judge struck down Alabama's marriage amendment which had been approved by 81 percent of the state's voters:

"This federal judge is throwing out the votes of the people of Alabama and attempting to shut down the debate over marriage. In exercising their right to vote, Alabama voters overwhelmingly sent a message that that they want to see society rebuild and strengthen marriage - not have it redefined by unelected judges.

"As one judge after another has robbed the people of their voice, the U.S. Supreme Court's intervention last week was long overdue. It is time that the courts respect the freedom of the people to uphold the timeless and natural definition of marriage as the union of a man and a woman.

"There is nothing in the U.S. Constitution that empowers this federal judge to overturn Alabama's marriage amendment nor any basis for the U.S. Supreme Court to impose a 50 state same-sex 'marriage' mandate," concluded Perkins.

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SOURCE Family Research Council