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Bill to expunge Jim Crow arrests passes

MONTGOMERY, Ala., April 18 (UPI) -- The Rosa Parks Act, a bill that would give pardons to people convicted of breaking Alabama's Jim Crow laws, has received final legislative approval.

Three Republican senators voted against the measure when it passed the upper house late Monday, the Montgomery Advertiser reported.

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"We've just given carte blanche for people who committed crimes at the time," Sen. Larry Dixon said.

Gov. Bob Riley, a Republican, has not said if he will sign the bill. A spokesman says Riley needs time to review it.

If the bill becomes law, it would allow anyone convicted of breaking segregation laws to apply for a pardon in the municipality where the arrest occurred. A family member could make the application for those who have died.

Expunged records would go to the state archives unless they are already in a museum or school.

Rep. John Rogers, a Birmingham Democrat, said that many veterans of the Civil Rights era have no interest in getting their records cleared.

"They went to jail with pride," he said.

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