>> this is al jazeera america. live from new york i'm tony harris. the supreme court declares bans on same-sex marriage as unconstitutional. and if up state new york one of two convictioned escaped killers one shot dead. the other still on the run. dozens killed in sudden violence.

>> on a busy news day let's begin with another landmark decision from the united states supreme court. in a narrow vote that the justices voteed that same-sex couples have a right to marry. the vote was split. mike viqueira is in washington, d.c. with more on this. mike? >> tony, it was an historic day at the supreme court. as of this morning states can no longer stop gay people from getting married. >> justice was finally served. our love is equal. >> he matter his husband in

maryland, which allows same-sex marriage. they moved to ohio, which does not. when john died he fought to be listed on the birth certificate as john's husband. the case presented the court with two questions. must they be recognized in every state, and do they full under equal protection under the law. the court evenly divided left and right with justice kennedy casting the swing vote. he wrote in part that the challengeed laws burden the liberty of same-sex couples and they abridge central precepts of equality. >> there are so many people who have been waiting decades for this day to come, i want to make sure that they have this joy and this security that comes with marriage. >> in descent, chief justice

roberts called it a state rights issue writing: >> judge anthony scalia said whoever thought that individual and spiritual were freedoms and one would think that freedom of intimacy as abridged rather than expanded by marriage. ask the nearest hippy. but children of same sex children were harmed and humiliated by the ban. for those families today was a try dump. >> for us this started out as a dream to add my name to our son's birth certificate. it became so much more important and so much bigger than just that. >> and for jim, it was a very personal victory. >> most importantly i would like to thank john for loving me, for making me a better man, and for

giving me something worth fighting for. i love you. this is for you john. >> and john immediately after that decision was read watt the supreme court no men people in states where gay marriage was banned. headed to count clerk offices to get marriage licenses. mike viqueira for us. thank you. the supreme court ends years of limbo for many same-sex couples before this ruling. same-sex marriage was legal in 36 states and the direct of columbia columbia. only louisiana had not implemented the decision. many states are already starting to act on it. the high courts ruling makes the

united states the 21st and largest country to fully legal legalize same-sex marriage. same sex weddings have been happening throughout the day in many states where they were illegal just yesterday. melissa chan is in san francisco with us, a windy san francisco for more. >> absolutely. historic day in san francisco. and possibly one of the windiest days i've had to experience. but tony, every here is so happy. you know, i think it's really important to keep in mind the resist of this particular city, the politicians such as politician gavin newsome involved in issuing those marriage certificates we expect a rally to take place. everyone here is absolutely ecstatic.

>> across the country same-sex couples able to tie the nottingham foster for the first time. in nashville, an emotional ceremony as they married friday afternoon just hours after the decision. marriages are taking place everywhere. in san francisco the celebration started early with people gathering in front of city hall. >> i woke up to a call from my fiancé, and he gave me the news. so i started calling people, texting people because i knew it was going to be a celebration. i just wanted to be a part of it. it's wonderful. >> we're ecstatic. we came out just because we saw the news and we're in town. we're both from out of state. i'm from brooklyn and she's from raleigh, north carolina. we felt we had to be here to celebrate this and be with everyone celebrating.

>> on friday now lieutenant governor gavin newsome called this moment reel. >> i thought it would take 70 years. i love to romancized, i thought we would be here a decade or so later. there are so many set backs in '05, '06, oh '07 and '08. >> reaction spread quickly. in chicago activists are preparing for pride weekend. one that will likely have more meaning than usual. >> this brings in the realization in the united states that lgbt people were here. >> and in san francisco the decision couldn't have come at a better time here, too. ahead of the city's own gay pride parade, one of the largest in the country. this is a doubly historic day.

it's also the 70th anniversary of the u.n. charter. why does it matter? secretary general the u.n. secretary general ban ki-moon is in town, and he received the harvey milk medal being the gay rights activist and former city supervisor of san francisco. >> melissa chan getting wind whipped out there in san francisco. we'll have much more for you on the same-sex marriage decision with a live report here in new york. the birthplace of america's gay rights movement. now to the fast-moving manhunt for two convicted murdersers who escape from prison and who have been on the run for three weeks now. theyably one of the men was shot and killed by police. paul beben here with the latest. >> major developments in this story tonight. and apparently a bloody finish for richard matt. new york police saying they shot

and killed a man they believe is him. they're waiting for final confirmation, but they believe they got their man. but as for the other man david sweat, his fate is unclear. police are reportedly in hot pursuit, and there have been reports of a second burst of gunfire. but at this hour sweat is still at large. matt the believe the man they believe is matt is gunned down. the police announced that the police were men were heading to canada. >> bystanders over hearing police talking about one guy down. now the area is 40 miles from the clinton correction facility,

the prison the two men broke out of, and since then they have come founded authorities as this sprawling manhunt ranging from the canadian border down through pennsylvania. they would bash their way through a brick wall and then storm through the pipes to get out. joyce mitchell, a prison instructor who is charged with helping the men by giving them hacksaws and other tools that were hidden in frozen meat. mitchell also agreed to be the get away driver, but she backed out feeling guilty. she has pled not guilty to charges of the prison break out. sweat was serving a life sentence.

and matt was serving 25 year to life for killling and dismembering his former boss. >> in south carolina, a celebration of a life well lived and a determine call for change. president obama delivered a eulogy for reverend clemente pinckney. he was gunned down along with eight others in his church. >> it has been any emotional two weeks for the people of charleston. >> there were hymns ♪ ♪ >> and prayers. >> it is well.

when peace like a river attended my way. >> when president obama took the stage he was met with thunderous applause remembering the nine victims as people of grace and reverend and state senator as a man of duty. >> he never gave up. he stayed true to his convictions. he never grew discouraged after a full day at the capital he would climb into his car and head to the church and draw sustenance for his family, for his ministry, for the community that loved and needed him. >> the president mixed spiritual with politics calling for tighter gun laws. >> it would an portrayal of everything that reverend pincney stood for i believe if we allowed ourselves to slip into a

comfortable silence again. once the eulogies have been delivered. once the tv cameras moved on. to go back to business as usual. >> the president spoke to 5,000 mourners packed in the arena. >> to avoid uncomfortable truths about the presentation that still affect our society. >> huge crowds endured 90-degree heat and waited a half mile to get inside. this ten-year-old, his grandmother and cousin once attended bible city with pinckney. they drove three hours to be here. and then stood another three hours to pay their respects. >> i'm here to show love and compassion. >> what kind of mention do you

want to be picked up today. >> we come as won unity love. >> if the people of charleston has been in mourning after losing nine of their own today the feels wag more cigarette tore. walking up and down the streets today, the mood we really encounter talking to people was one of hope and love. judy murphy and lily williams, strangers bonded in line. >> we met a new friend here? >> yes yes. >> all of us. i mean it's something we're sharing together, don't you think? >> yes, and we're making it a lot. we're making it fun. >> for those who made it inside it was a moving joyful, sometimes emotional experience in the ends the president united mourners in song. ♪ amazing grace ♪

♪ how sweet the sound ♪ >> and the services continue tonight. there are three visitations at emmanuel ame church behind me. >> diane estherbrook for us in charleston, south carolina. thank you. roslyn brock is the chairman of the naacp board of directors. we asked what she thought about the president's eulogy. >> we're so grateful for his eulogy for the sitting president of the united states to talk about grace. and for what we all need in this nation. we come here, white black brown, from all across this nation as people who have hope, and who still believe in hope, and hope in a nation, we all work together in unity to solve the societal issues that we have. but then to have our president come and speak to those same

issues very pointedly and then to sing "amazing grace," to lead that auditorium that old hymn of the african-american church was powerful and very historical. >> there is a moment here. this president was seen around the world and eulogizing this pastor and state senator. what issues need to be discussed in this moment right here and right now? >> i think it it's a pivotal moment in our nation's history. we have to talk about gun violence in our nation. we have to talk about poverty. we have to talk about the issues that divide us. and speak to our children about those issues that divide us. he had a statement in his speech that he said that we need to be conscious of how we speak to our children and the things we teach them, and the things they learn in school. we need to be examples of how we

want our children to act in society, also how we want them to lead in the future. >> i'm wondering. you're there in charleston, south carolina, and the flag, there is a discussion about the flag coming down, and yes there is legislative process that has to play out and maybe that happens, and we certainly hope so. but i wonder is that a starting place for you? is it an end point? >> the flag is a starting point. we have to really pause and say thank you to mayor reilly and the governor, the republican governor of this state who really thought clearly about what she needed to do when she spoke not only to her constituents but also to the nation. to say that we really need to have a conversation about taking down this flag. you know, the naacp 15 years ago marched consistently and had a boycott in south carolina that is still in effect because we

wanted to bring down that flag and the symbol of hatred, slavery and inhumaneness towards people of african-american descent. we're so pleased but saddened that it took the nine lives in bible study but we can't lose sight on the issue because of the flag. we have to talk about all the things that are important to our community. we have to talk about higher literacy rates in our school, disparities in healthcare. we have to talk about the disproportionate number of african-american men and boys who go to the criminal justice system. we have to talk about excessive policing in our neighborhood. those are the things that are important to us. >> you're in a city, in a county where you have 100% white and 100% african-american schools. that was not the intent of brown

versus the board of education. >> it was not. it was one that we would come together and integrate the schools, and so that we really could live together as one. but i think in this i want, this incident in our nation's history has caused us to think again. the word talked about self reflection, a self deep of self to say how can i make a difference in my community? what can i do? to move the conversation forward. so that we can have a better tomorrow for our children. >> great to talk with you. thank you for your time. >> thanks so much. i appreciate it. >> still to come on the program three uncoordinated attacks on three different continents including tourists targeted at a popular vacation resort, and a gruesome attack. an american-owned company in france.

>> it is monumental day in the history of the gay rights movement. the supreme court ruled that same-sex marriage is now legal across the united states.

[ cheering ] >> the decision was announced. as you can see jurisdictions in almost every state with the ban still in affect are now starting to implement the ruling. president obama praised the decision. he says the moment was made possible by generations of people who have endured inequality. the reaction to the supreme court's decision on gay marriage has been mixed. among those who hope to become president in 2016, jonathanter jonathan jonathan terrett has more on that. >> long-time gay rights supporter hillary clinton changed her campaign lodo to the low, low go to the gay pride

flag. reaction from the republican side was mixed. mike huckabee held nothing back calling the decision judicial tyranny. >> rick santorum used his disapproval to raise money for his campaign. he said the court has ruled but now the people must speak. join me and fight for marriage. other americans stuck with a softer tone. jeb bush wrote that while he believes in traditional marriage we should love our maybe and respect others who are making lifetime commitments. marco rubio said that he believes that marriage should be

between man and a woman, but now a large number of americans will continue to believe in traditional marriage, and a large number of america will be pleased with the court's decision today. in the years ahead i it is my hope that each side will respect the dignity of the other. >> new york ace historic stone wall inn. roxana saberi is there for us. roxana. if you would take a moment here and tell us about that rally that is still ongoing in behind you and around you there. >> there are hundreds of people there, and at that rally there are many guy rights activist who is are speaking. their main message today was that today was a huge step for the lgbt community but still a lot of work needs to be done. i would say that the main star who has spoken is edie windsor.

her lawsuit striking down the defense of marriage act which defines marriage between a landmark victory on the path to same-sex marriage. this is what she had to say during the rally. >> today i'm gay and today the world is gay. and once again i get to thank the supreme court for demonstrating through the constitution of this country holds and justice prevails. >> then we caught up with edie after the rally. i asked her what this day means to her. take a listen. >> well, couldn't be more thrilling. i can't imagine a happier position to be in. >> how surprised are you? did you think that this day would come? >> no, no idea. i saved the cancel check because i knew. otherwise, if one of us died

first, the government would say whoever died first owns it all and we would have the proof that the survivor paid half. that's how little i expected this. >> she's talking about estate taxes she had to pay the federal government when her spouse died because her marriage was not recognized by the government here. this day has been full of celebrations. therecan you pan over to the people who are here? there are single people, there are people who are kissing crying dancing. we've talked to quite a few of these people. here are a couple of them. >> my father was a campaigner for gay rights before straight military men were campaigners were gay rights. i have a picture of him in a shirt that says love is love.

he passed away five years ago. i can't help but think he's just tap dancing amongst the stars today. >> the fight does not start here. there are other rights that need to be won for lgbt people in this country. we can still be fired just for who we are. and around the around the world this persecution of lgbt community. >> so funny we're here outside of the stone wall in. the reason that these rallies and celebrations are taking place out here today is that this is an iconic place. this is really a birthplace of modern gay rights movement. and these celebrations will be taking place the rest of the evening. this is kicking off the weekend of guy pride here in new york city. there is a big mark on sunday. there will be more than 2 million people. people will be celebrating throughout the night. >> roxana saberi for us. roxana, thank you.

president obama praised the supreme court decision in a moving statement from the white house. this was not a day that came quickly or easily for mr. obama. randall pinkston is live for us. randall, this high court decision, another major victory for the president. meaning people say for the president to reach this point. he was working on the eulogy that he delivered in charleston when senior adviser valerie jared called him on the phone to tell him about the supreme court's historic decision. president obama in almost somber tones welcomed the supreme court decision on same-sex marriage. >> this morning the supreme court recognized that the constitution guarantees marriage equality. in doing so they've reaffirmed

that all americans are entitled to the equal portion of the law. the president praised the couples who lobbied for change, endured bullying, threats and unfair treatment and pointed to his administration's efforts to end discrimination. >> that's why we stopped defending the so-called stop defense marriage act and the court struck down a central provision of that discriminatory law. >> in 2008 when he was running for office he seemed to oppose same sex unions. >> i believe marriage is an union between a man and a woman. >> but once elected he moved towards supporting gay rights using his executive authority in 2010 to repeal the u.s. military don't ask/don't tell

policy. >> no longer will tens of thousands of men and women in uniform be asked to lie. >> i am absolutely comfortable with the fact that men marrying men, women marrying women and are entitled to the same exact rights, all the civil rights, all the civil libbers. >> dayscivil liberties. >> days later president obama told robin roberts that his views on gay marriage had evolved. >> i think its important that same-sex couples should be able to get married. >> the president's change of heart on the issue reflects the nation's evolution. >> i think the president and the vice president and many people in this country have been

influenced by the voices and the bravery and the courage of many people who have tried to make the points that the quality equality is the right move. >> today many have been watching and listening to that evolution as the depth of change of heart was reflected in his words. >> today we can say under no uncertain terms that we've made arguemade our world a little more perfect. >> president obama called the decision a victory for the plaintiffs the same-sex couples and their families and for all americans. people should be treated equally, they said no matter who they love. >> randall pinkston for us. thank you. earlier this year we introduced you to an alabama couple fighting to overturn the state's same-sex marriage ban and for them this is has been a day of celebration. the realization of a long held dream. jonathan betz with us.

>> elation in the form of a fist pump and embrace. >> this is what we've been waiting for, praying for. yes. >> last september jim and john filed a lawsuit against alabama's ban on same-sex marriage. they won the right to marry in february after the u.s. district court in mobile ruled in their favor. >> it was a battle. but that's okay. it's like i said, john and i we could not have done it without your help writing the papers up. >> they traveled down a long road of legal fights of state and federal level. >> we have issues at the courthouse that we were denied our marriage licenses and we turned around and filed the lawsuit. no lawyers. just the two of us. and won the case the first go around and then the second go around we had to have the

national center of gay and lesbian rights, they stepped in. >> they recently said that a supreme court ruling in favor of gay marriage would quote destroy our country. >> the. >> jim says, i know the judge said he would stop all marriages issuing licenses in the state but he can't now. >> attorney christine hernandez represents a couple whose lawsuit was the first to topple the ban in alabama. >> we had a great day. the ruling, 5-4 the 14th amendment guarantees the right of all citizens to enjoy the institution of marriage, and we're very excited about that. for now on when couples travel from state to state there is no

question whether their marriage is legal from one state to the next. >> that couple have been fighting the state to recognize their marriage in california and to jointly adapt their nine-year-old daughter. >> i think its pretty clear from this ruling that supreme court affirmed what we knew all along that marriage equality harms no one, but protects families. >> jim and john feel the same

>> they were able to see that we deserve all the same rights as my straight brother, our parents and this is the right thing to do. this is a country that has long talked about family values, and we're beginning to really invest in them. this decision codifieds that. >> i've got a guest coming up that won't agree with that. i'll ask you the same question that i'll him. do you think this strengthens marriage? >> i believe that marriage equality strengthens the institution of marriage strengthens family values and sends the message to all children in america that their parents are valued. we know one thing about raising children in this country. family equality, we've been doing this for a long time. every piece of social science that is out there says that

children need stability at home. marriage equality is part of providing that stability. these are families. these laws are not going to create the families. these families exist: there are 3 million lgbt adults who are parents. these family exist. we should recognize them. and this is the step to recognizing them as couples it strengthens our resolve about family values. >> so ma more needs to be done? >> well, first of all we have not secured the adoption in this country assuring that every child can be legally adapted to their parents.

we have to work with working family issues and family leave and where to live equality. and starting today family equality is launching family values forward. we're sure, we're sure that the country is ready to join us. >> joining us from outside of the stone wall inn. gabriel, thank you for your time. i got to tell you there is another side to this story. joseph backholm, good to see you, sir. thank you for your time. your view of today's supreme court decision? >> yes, i think that the biggest challenge with today's decision is the blow it delivers to really the democratic process in rule of law. clearly there is a debate taking place of what the definition of marriage should be and what is

appropriate. but the constitution is unambiguously silent on the issue of marriage. and historically it says nothing to and is left to political process. that's what was taking place in the united states and that political process was followed. what happened stay that took away the voice of every american who had a right to speak to this issue. even if this is an outcome that would have resulted it would have been legitimate if the appropriate political process would have been followed. that's the biggest challenge for today's decision. there is no base in the institution to do this. >> i wonder where you stand on the question itself. fundamentally it's a question that i asked gabriel, i'll ask you. my guess is fundamentally you don't believe that same-sex marriage strengthens the institution of marriage. am i correct in that?

>> the truth is i don't believe that same-sex marriage exists. certainly people have a right to be in whatever kind of relationship they desire, but marriage is an unique thing that connects children from their mother and father. the reality is every child biologically speaking has a mother and father. we're best served as a culture if we encourage as often as possible. >> in favor of recognizing same sex unions. >> well, certainly the decision today was not a surprise to many, i don't think. and in this debate over what marriage has been, really, i think its just starting in america. and this is going to happen for decades. generations moving forward.

there is really two views of what marriage is, and one of them is a consent-based view of marriage where the it is confirms the adult's view of marriage and the other is a child concentric view of marriage that children are known and loved by their mother and father. there are different arguments on both sides but really this is in many ways just the beginning. >> good. so what now? the law is the law. how do you move a debate forward in the areas that you would like to see the debate move forward? how do you channel and where do you channel the energy that you have used to sort of push back from this happening? >> sure, it's going to be a long-term engagement, no question. in the short term the biggest issue is going to be whether people share my view on the issue of marriage, they're going to be free to make a living, run a business, run their churches,

run their non-profits in a way that is consistent with their value systems. now we get to test whether we believe in tolerance live and let live where people have different views on this issue will be able to coexist peacefully together pursuing life according to their own values. right now that's a very open question. we intend it defend the right for people to be who they are and to make a living despite who they are. and we expect to get push back on that of course. underlying that is the fundamental question of what is marriage. >> joseph, i'm curious i'm wondering if in every other area of life putting the same-sex marriage aside you see members of this community, the lgbt community, as equal members of society. >> well of course. >> okay, all right. so now that the central argument has essentially been decided by the court, do you have concerns

that the movement will now push this moment to take its victory and perhaps press the drive out of many in the movement, what many in the movement calls religious bigotry and others call legislation liberty? >> there is no question. that's the next frontier of this. we've seen private property owners be used because they didn't want their property used for same sex marriages. we've seen bakeries sued because they didn't want to service a same-sex marriage. and can someone be compelled to an abortion, things like that. those conscientious rights issues and that's the next frontier. providing tolerance for those who have differing opinions to live according to those opinions without facing government

consequences for that. >> gotcha, joseph, appreciate your time. the executive director of the family institute of washington. joseph again thank you. >> you bet. >> with two crucial deadlines days away, greece's prime minister wants a vote on a controversial bail out deal, and secretary of state john kerry talks on iran's nuclear program. >> "inside story" takes you beyond the headlines, beyond the quick cuts, beyond the sound bites. we're giving you a deeper dive into the stories that are making our world what it is. >> ray suarez hosts "inside story". only on al jazeera america.

>> we're here to fully get into the nuances of everything that's going on not just in this country but around the world. getting the news from the people who are affected.report

only on al jazeera america >> greek prime minister alexy tsipr as spoke about the bail out deal. the deadline for iran's nuclear capability is four days away. secretary of state john kerry is headed to vienna.

the latest comments could put the deal in some question. he's rejecting the long-term freeze and they may have to extend the talks. john seigenthaler is here. >> quite a busy day tony. coming up at 8:00. >> i am truly honored to be one of the people in this case to bring this home. and not only to michigan, but to all of the united states. >> a couple talks about the long hard road to victory. and while many agree with the decision others don't. they think it's an outrage. we'll hear their side and hear more about their plan to continue the fight against same-sex marriage. plus we'll talk about the thoughts on this history-making day. all those stories and a lot more in about four minutes. >> appreciate it. back to the emotional service in

charleston. thousands filled in an arena to remember the pastor shot and killed in the massacre at emmanuel ame church.. [ choir singing ] >> for the families of the fallen the nation shares in your grief. for too long we've been blind to the way injustices continue to shape the present. perhaps we see that now. >> mother lost nine of her children. mother forgives because with us is god. >> repeat after me, emmanuel.

>> south carolina. occurring the last week. >> anything is possible. everything could change. amazing grace. ♪ amazing grace ♪ ♪ how sweet the sound ♪ ♪ that saves a wretch like me ♪

♪ i once was lost ♪

>> hi everyone. this is al jazeera america. i'm john seigenthaler. a fundamental right. >> i repronounce you married and you may seal your vows with a kiss. [ cheering ] >> the supreme court legalizing same-sex marriage across the united states. in attacks in tunisia. we'll have a report from tunis. in new york, shot and killed. one of the