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U.S. NEWSSaturday 23 January 2016
GOP wants legal exemptions for gay marriage opponents Police to investigate
cop who shot naked,
KATHLEEN FOODY tionwide vary dramati- have backing from top of- bound to be challenged in unarmed black man
Associated Press cally. Several bills are filed ficials supported by conser- court. How judges may rule
ATLANTA (AP) — Months in states with legislatures vative voters. In Kentucky depends on the specific is- KATE BRUMBACK
after the Supreme Court dominated by Democrats — home to Kim Davis, the sue. Associated Press
effectively legalized same- or with a Democratic gov- county clerk jailed when Alexander Volokh, an Em- DECATUR, Georgia (AP) —
sex marriage, lawmakers ernor’s veto standing in she refused to issue mar- ory University law professor, Police said Friday they will
across the U.S. are pushing the way, such as Virginia. riage licenses to same-sex said courts may rule against investigate a white Atlan-
bills that would give busi- ta-area officer who shot a
nesses and some public State Sen. Greg Kirk, R-Americus, speaks on a bill he plans to introduce that provides religious ex- naked, unarmed, mentally
employees the right to re- emptions in the wake of last year’s U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing gay marriage Thursday, ill black veteran and has
fuse serving gay couples Jan. 21, 2016, in Atlanta. been indicted on felony
because of their religious murder and other charges.
beliefs. (AP Photo/David Goldman) Officer Robert Olsen fatally
The American Civil Liberties shot Anthony Hill on March
Union opposes such bills In Tennessee, lawmakers couples because of her re- exemptions for public em- 9 while responding to a call
and says variations have swiftly rejected a measure ligious beliefs — lawmakers ployees. But laws covering of a naked man behav-
been proposed in 22 states, barring the state from abid- have proposed a bill allow- private businesses in states ing erratically outside an
mostly by Republicans. Top ing by the Supreme Court’s ing clerks to remove their without specific civil rights apartment complex. Olsen
employers, including Del- gay marriage decision af- name from licenses. The protections for gay resi- was indicted Thursday.
ta Air Lines, Home Depot, ter legislative analysts pro- bill matches an executive dents could stand, he said. Tensions between police
Porsche and UPS, warn the jected it could jeopardize order issued by Republican “Private individuals don’t and minorities have risen
proposals are unwelcom- $8.5 billion in federal fund- Gov. Matt Bevin. have any constitutional across the U.S. after a series
ing and bad for business. ing. Legal experts said any duty to participate in gay of shootings mostly involv-
Even so, Georgia lawmak- Elsewhere, the measures bills that become law are marriage,” Volokh said.q ing white law enforcement
ers have pressed on with a officers and unarmed Afri-
bill that would allow busi- can-American males. Crit-
ness owners to refuse prod- ics in Hill’s case, including
ucts or services for same- his family, have focused
sex couples planning a more on his mental health
wedding, and another that and whether force should
protects state employees have been used because
who have religious objec- he was unarmed.
tions to the marriages. The family of the 27-year-
“I don’t think anyone re- old Hill says he was a U.S.
ally fundamentally wants Air Force veteran who
to prohibit the free exercise struggled with mental
of religion and the abil- health problems.
ity of people to raise their The DeKalb County Police
children and still be able to Department will begin its
make a living just because own administrative investi-
they have a different belief gation to determine what
system than someone who action, if any, it should take
is their customer,” he said. against Olsen, department
The odds of passage na- spokesman Maj. Stephen
Fore said in an email Friday.
Town changing logo that was target of national jokes Olsen was released Friday
from jail on $110,200 bond,
WHITESBORO, New York discuss the creation of a a Native American appar- more modern and cultur- sheriff’s office spokeswom-
(AP) — A New York state vil- new image. ently dancing and a white ally appropriate drawing. an Cynthia Williams said.
lage is changing its official The announcement comes settler and a Native Ameri- “This is but one of many im- Olsen’s attorney, Don Sam-
logo after the image, which a day after “The Daily can beating up a British sol- portant examples of com- uel, said they are disap-
appears to show a white Show” aired a segment dier. munities taking welcome pointed in the grand jury’s
man throttling an Indian, filmed on Jan. 11, when vil- O’Connor said the logo steps to be inclusive and decision, but he noted the
was ridiculed on Comedy lagers voted to keep the shows a historic wrestling promote our region’s com- defense was not allowed
Central’s “The Daily Show.” traditional logo for its his- match that figured into mitment to civility,” said to present any witnesses,
Whitesboro Mayor Patrick toric value. Among alter- good relations between Oneida Nation CEO Ray experts or evidence and
O’Connor said Friday that native designs put before early settlers and the Onei- Halbritter in a statement. was not allowed to chal-
village officials and mem- voters were several provid- das. No timetable was given for lenge any of the prosecu-
bers of the nearby Oneida ed by the comedy show, He said the new seal will making the change.q tion’s evidence.q
Indian Nation will meet to including a white man and preserve history with a
