GOP presidential candidate Mike Huckabee has announced he will lead a rally on Tuesday in support of county clerk Kim Davis, who, acting on her Christian faith, was criminalized and jailed without bail because she refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
Huckabee took to Facebook over the weekend to make the announcement: "On this Labor Day, as we celebrate the spirit of the American worker, let's take a moment to remember one American worker who is currently unable to perform their job because they are a Christian. Kim Davis is currently in jail - without bail - for following her conscience, as well as for following the laws of the state she serves. I never thought I would see the day in America where someone would be jailed for peaceably practicing their religious beliefs."
The #ImWithKim Liberty Rally will be held on Tuesday, August 9 at 3:00 PM ET, in Grayson, Kentucky at the Carter County Detention Center. Huckabee also encourages supporters to sign a petition to President Obama, Attorney General Lynch, and Judge Bunning demanding Kim's immediate release from federal custody.
"When I'm in Kentucky tomorrow, I will show her who is standing with her!" Huckabee writes.
Meanwhile, attorneys for Kim Davis said on Monday they have filed an emergency motion with a federal court that they hope will result in her freedom, the AP reports.
The filing seeks to have Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear accommodate Davis' "religious conviction," and not compel her to grant licenses to gay couples, the Liberty Counsel said in a statement.
"Today is a holiday where most people are spending time with family and friends," said attorney Mat Staver of Liberty Counsel on Monday. "But for Kim Davis this is day five of her incarceration. While she is content no matter her circumstances because of her deep faith and Jesus, she should be free."
Staver's motion asks for an exemption from the governor's mandate that all county clerks issue marriage licenses, even to same-sex couples. "Coercing Mrs. Davis to authorize and personally approve same-sex marriage in violation of her religious convictions and conscience is wrong," Staver said.
Davis, an apostolic Christian, made headlines earlier this year after she was sued for refusing to issue a marriage license to a same-sex couple. At the time, U.S. District Court Judge David Bunnings ordered her to issue the license - a ruling backed by the U.S. Supreme Court.
At the time, Davis explained that signing her name on such a certificate would violate her conscience, as doing so would have conflicted with "God's definition of marriage."
"It is not a light issue for me. It is a Heaven or Hell decision," she said. "For me it is a decision of obedience. I have no animosity toward anyone and harbor no ill will. To me this has never been a gay or lesbian issue. It is about marriage and God's Word."
On Thursday, U.S. District Court Judge David Bunning ruled Davis was in contempt of court for disobeying his order and sent her to jail. Her deputy clerks then issued marriage licenses to gay couples Friday with Davis behind bars.
Bunning indicated Davis will be in jail at least a week, and could stay longer if she continues to not obey the judge's order. He has said that she will be released from prison once she has agreed to comply with the court order and proceed to issue marriage licenses.
However, Davis explained that the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on June 26 that legalized gay marriage nationwide conflicts with the vows she made when she became a born-again Christian. "I promised to love Him with all my heart, mind and soul because I wanted to make heaven my home," Davis told the judge before a federal marshal escorted her out. "God's moral law conflicts with my job duties. You can't be separated from something that's in your heart and in your soul."
On Monday, Supporters of Davis rallied Monday at two locations -- outside Judge Bunning's home and outside the detention center where she's being held, CNN reports.
"Her spirits remain high," said another Davis attorney, Horatio Mihet. "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 Davis 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."
