Kentucky Clerk Kim Davis, Who Refused Marriage Licenses to Same-Sex Couples, Released From Jail
Rowan County, Kentucky clerk Kim Davis who was jailed for six days after she was held in contempt of court for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, citing her Christian faith, glorified God shortly after her release on Tuesday.
"I just want to give God the glory. His people have rallied and you are a strong people. We serve a living God who knows where each and every one of us is at. Just keep on pressing don't let down because He is here. He is worthy, He is worthy. I love you guys. Thank you so much," said Davis to her supporters during an appearance outside the jail along with GOP presidential candidate Mike Huckabee and one of her attorneys, Mat Staver.
U.S. District Court Judge David Bunning ordered Davis' release on Tuesday morning after he was satisfied that same-sex couples were no longer being denied marriage licenses.
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According to The Daily Beast the clerk's office altered marriage licenses to remove Davis's name from them from Friday and Bunning in his order said "the Court's prior contempt sanction against Defendant Davis is hereby lifted."
"On September 3, 2015, the Court held Defendant Kim Davis in contempt and jailed her for her refusal to issue marriage licenses, directly or through her deputy clerks, in accordance with the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell v. Hodges and this Court's Memorandum Opinion and Order of August 12, 2015," notes the order.
"After remanding Defendant Davis to the custody of the U.S. Marshal, five of her six deputy clerks stated under oath that they would comply with the Court's Order and issue marriage licenses to all legally eligible couples," it continued.
Bunning noted that a status report showing that the clerk's office was now complying with the law to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples prompted Davis' release.
"On September 8, 2015, Plaintiffs filed a Status report at the Court's behest. According to the Report, Plaintiffs have obtained marriage licenses from the Rowan County Clerk's Office. The Court is therefore satisfied that the Rowan County Clerk's Office is fulfilling its obligation to issue marriage licenses to all legally eligible couples, consistent with the U.S. Supreme Court's holding in Obergefell and this Court's August 12, 2015 Order," he noted.
Along with her release, the court ordered that "Davis shall not interfere in any way, directly or indirectly, with the efforts of her deputy clerks to issue marriage licenses to all legally eligible couples."
If she fails to do this she would be considered in violation of the order and "appropriate sanctions will be considered."
To ensure that the order is being complied with the five deputy clerks in the office were also required to file status reports every 14 days.
Davis' jailing sparked national outcry and her supporters rallied Monday at two locations — outside Judge Bunning's home and outside the detention center where she's being held according to WMUR.
"Her spirits remain high," said Horatio Mihet one of Davis' attorneys. "She was brought to tears when she heard that so many people outside the jail and around the country are praying for her."
Mihet said she was "willing to stay in this jail as long as it takes in order for her to win back her constitutional rights, not just for her but for Americans of all faiths."
On Tuesday, GOP presidential candidate Mike Huckabee was expected to visit Davis in jail.
THE COMPLETE ORDER CAN BE VIEWED BELOW:
