By Bob Eschliman
Editor
Tuesday afternoon, Rowan County (KY) Clerk Kim Davis was released from jail by U.S. Judge David Bunning after spending five days behind bars for contempt of court after refusing Bunning’s order to issue marriage licenses.
At her side as she emerged from the jail facility was Republican presidential candidate former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. Prior to the announcement that she would be released, in fact shortly after she was jailed, Huckabee had announced a “#ImWithKim Liberty Rally” would be held in front of the Carter County Detention Center in Grayson, KY.
More than 5,000 — including fellow Republican presidential candidate U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz — were on hand. Scroll down to see video from the event. The article continues after the video.
After the event, Huckabee issued the following statement:
“Today I was proud to stand with Kim Davis as she was released from jail. Kim Davis should have never been locked-up for being a Christian and for following her conscience and the law.
“I am appalled at our government’s willingness to accommodate the religious beliefs of all religions, but Christianity. Kim Davis sitting behind bars in an orange jumpsuit for six days leaves no doubt about the criminalization of Christianity in America. I refuse to sit silently as our Constitution is torched and the courts violate our fundamental rights. We did not fight a revolution against the tyranny of one unelected monarch so we could surrender our freedoms and abandon our Constitution to the tyranny of five unaccountable, unelected lawyers.
“This shredding of the most fundamental civil rights of our citizens cannot stand. As president, I will fight for, and protect, the religious liberty of every American.”
FOX News stepped in it again when anchor Shepard Smith called the Christians who attended the rally “haters.” Mediaite captured Shep’s rant and posted it on its YouTube channel later in the day. Scroll down for the video. The article continues after the video.
Davis had stopped issuing all marriage licenses after the U.S. Supreme Court’s opinion in Obergefell v. Hodges because Kentucky marriage licenses include the name of the issuing county clerk. She said she was seeking a religious accommodation, which is required by both Kentucky and federal law, in which her name would not appear on the licenses.
A group of homosexuals who were seeking “marriages” had sued, seeking a court order demanding Davis issue the licenses anyway.
Although two presidential candidates were on hand, only one took the stage. Shortly before she emerged from the Carter County Detention Center, she met with Cruz, posing for a photo with the presidential candidate. When Cruz emerged from the building, a few moments before Davis, members of the media sought interviews with him, but Huckabee staffers blocked his access.
CLICK HERE to see the video.
Follow Us