Page 83 - MIN JUS 9 SEPT 2015

U.S. NEWS A5
Wednesday 9 September

Kentucky:

Clerk who opposed gay marriage released from jail

Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis, with Republican presidential Two gay couples and two bars. In lifting the contempt
heterosexual ones sued order, Bunning asked for
candidate Mike Huckabee, left, at her side, greets the crowd Davis. Bunning ordered updates on the five clerks’
Davis to issue the licenses, compliance every two
after being released from the Carter County Detention Center, and the Supreme Court weeks.
upheld his ruling. But she On Tuesday, Staver, Davis’
Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2015, in Grayson, Ky. Davis, the Kentucky still refused, and was held lawyer, maintained that
in contempt of court and the licenses issued by her
county clerk who was jailed for refusing to issue marriage hauled off to jail in hand- deputies in her absence
cuffs, igniting protests are invalid. But Allison Mar-
licenses to gay couples, was released Tuesday after five days from members of the reli- tin, a spokeswoman for
gious right. They rallied for Kentucky’s attorney gener-
behind bars. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley) days outside her office, at al, said the office believes
the jail, even outside the they are valid.
ADAM BEAM country have obeyed the judge’s home. Laura Landenwich, an
Associated Press law. The timing of her release attorney for the couples
GRAYSON, Kentucky (AP) Her lawyer refused to say came as something of a whose lawsuit led to Da-
— The Kentucky county whether she would defy surprise. Last week, Bun- vis’ jailing, said she has her
clerk who was jailed for the courts again. ning said that he might re- doubts Davis will comply
refusing to issue marriage “Kim cannot and will not consider his decision to jail with the court’s latest or-
licenses to gay couples violate her conscience,” her in a week. der.
was released Tuesday af- said Mat Staver, founder Five of Davis’ six deputy “I would hope that she
ter five days behind bars, of the Liberty Counsel, the clerks — all except her son, would recognize her legal
emerging to a tumultuous Christian law firm repre- Nathan Davis — agreed obligations at this point,”
reception from thousands senting Davis. As for wheth- to issue licenses to gay Landenwich said. “And do
of cross-waving supporters. er she will issue licenses, couples with Davis behind what’s right.”q
Kim Davis, whose jailing Staver said only: “You’ll find
helped make her a hero to out in the near future.”
the religious right walked But U.S. District Judge David
free after the federal judge Bunning also warned Davis
who ordered her locked not to interfere again.
up lifted a contempt order As the news spread, a
against her, saying he was crowd of dozens of sup-
satisfied that her deputies porters who had gathered
were fulfilling their obliga- on the jailhouse lawn for a
tion to grant licenses to previously scheduled rally
same-sex couples in her swelled. They broke into
absence. “Amazing Grace” and
“I just want to give God the “God Bless America” and
glory. His people have ral- waved signs, flags and
lied, and you are strong,” large white crosses.
she told the crowd after She emerged next to Re-
stepping outside, her arms publican presidential can-
raised like a victorious box- didate Mike Huckabee
er, to the blaring Rocky and her husband, who was
theme song “Eye of the Ti- in blue dungarees and a
ger.” She added: “Keep on straw hat. Huckabee and
pressing.” fellow Republican Party
Davis was locked up on White House candidate
Thursday for the boldest Sen. Ted Cruz visited her in
act of resistance by a pub- jail just after the decision
lic official yet to the U.S. came down.
Supreme Court ruling in “If somebody has to go to
June that effectively legal- jail, I’m willing to go in her
ized gay marriage across place. I believe that,” said
the nation. Citing “God’s Huckabee, a former Bap-
authority” and her deeply tist minister and Arkansas
held belief that gay mar- governor. He added: “She
riage is a sin. Davis, an has shown more courage
Apostolic Christian, had than any politician I know.
stopped issuing all mar- She not only said some-
riage licenses. The vast ma- thing, she was willing to put
jority of officials around the her life at risk.”