LOUISVILLE (US), Sept 8: Attorneys for the Kentucky county clerk who was jailed last week because of her refusal to issue marriage licenses to gay couples have said they have filed an emergency motion with a federal court that they hope will result in Kim Davis’ freedom.
Davis’ plight has reignited the gay marriage debate and the limits of religious freedom following the US Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide.
Her imprisonment has inspired spirited protests from both sides in this small eastern Kentucky community known mostly as the home to Morehead State University.
The filing seeks to have Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear accommodate Davis’ “religious conviction,” and not compel her to grant licenses to gay couples, Liberty Counsel said in a statement yesterday.
“The motion requests an injunction pending appeal for an exemption from the Governor’s mandate that all county clerks issue marriage licenses,” said the statement by Liberty Counsel, which is representing Davis.
The same injunction request was denied last month by US District Judge David Bunning, who jailed Davis on Thursday.
Charla Bansley, communications director for Liberty Counsel, said Davis could be released from jail immediately if the motion were granted by the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit ordering Beshear to issue Davis an “accommodation” — allowing her to remove her name and title from official marriage certificates issued in Rowan County.
By doing that, Davis would not be sanctioning any same- sex unions and her conscience would be satisfied, they say.
“If there was an accommodation, she would be released (from jail) because she would no longer be in contempt,” Bansley said.
On Sunday, about 30 protesters lined the sidewalk outside Bunning’s home in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, carrying signs that read “Free Kim Davis.”
Fort Thomas Police Lt. Casey Kilgore said the group gathered around 2 pm, and the protest lasted several hours. He said the group sang and waved their signs; they broke no laws and no one had been arrested. He did not know if Bunning was home. (AGENCIES)
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