Mississippi religious law protests set for Ole Miss graduation, New York gay pride dinner

JACKSON, Miss. – A protest will be held Saturday during the graduation ceremony at the University of Mississippi against a law that opponents fear could sanction discrimination against gays and lesbians.

The Mississippi Religious Freedom Restoration Act was signed by Republican Gov. Phil Bryant and becomes law July 1. Bryant is speaking at the graduation in Oxford.

The law says government cannot put a substantial burden on religious practices without a compelling reason. Critics fear it could give business owners who oppose homosexuality a justification to refuse services to same-sex couples.

Another protest is scheduled for June 13, the night before the annual Mississippi picnic in New York's Central Park.