Watch: Kim Davis released from jail, hailed as a hero

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An emotional Davis thanks her supporters

Supporters of anti-gay Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis have hailed her as a courageous defender of religious freedom after she was released from jail.

The public servant, who refused to do her job and issue same-sex marriage licenses because of her religious beliefs, was set free by US District Judge David Bunning on Monday.

He released her on condition that she not “interfere in any way, directly or indirectly, with the efforts of her deputy clerks to issue marriage licenses to all legally eligible couples.”

In a sickening display of religious bigotry, Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee introduced Davis as a hero to a cheering crowd at a rally after her release.

To the sounds of the song Eye of the Tiger, a smiling Davis held up her hands triumphantly and then began weeping as she looked up to the sky.

“I just want to give God the glory because His people have rallied. And you are a strong people!” Davis proclaimed.

She said that, “God… knows exactly where each and every one of us is at,” adding, “Keep on pressing. Don’t let down. Because He is here and He is worthy.”

Openly gay actor and activist George Takei called the rally “a circus,” arguing that Davis should not be celebrated for flouting the law.

“She broke her oath to uphold the Constitution and defied a court order so she could deny government services to couples who are legally entitled to be married. She is entitled to hold her religious beliefs, but not to impose those beliefs on others,” he wrote on Facebook.

“If she had denied marriage certificates to an interracial couple, would people cheer her? Would presidential candidates flock to her side? In our society, we obey civil laws, not religious ones,” Takei insisted.

Davis was found in contempt of court on September 3 for violating an order that required her to uphold her duty as a public official. After she was taken into custody, the majority of her colleagues in her office agreed to serve same-sex couples.

“This case was brought to ensure that all residents of Rowan County, gay and straight, could obtain marriage licenses,” commented William Sharp, Legal Director of the ACLU of Kentucky, which sued Davis on behalf of couples she had turned away. “That goal has been achieved,” he said.

Davis’ legal battles are not yet over. She continues to appeal the ruling that ordered her to serve same-sex couples. She has also sued Kentucky Governor Steven Beshear for not allowing her and other clerks opposed to same-sex marriage to “opt-out” of issuing these licenses.

Meanwhile, outraged band members of Survivor said they are considering taking legal action because they did not consent to have their iconic song Eye of the Tiger played at the rally.

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