Kim Davis, the Kentucky county clerk jailed on Sept. 3 after refusing to issue same-sex marriage licenses, was released from jail on Tuesday.
“I just want to give God the glory,” Davis said, crying as supporter’s cheered her on from the crowd.
According to the New York Times, thousands gathered to celebrate her release, many of which agreed with Davis–that samesex marriage violates their religious beliefs. Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, former governor of Arkansas, was present at the rally in support of Davis.
“It is unconscionable that someone in this country would spend almost one week in jail for peaceably practicing their faith,” Huckabee wrote on his campaign website. “Exercising Religious Liberty should never be a crime in America. This is a direct attack on our Godgiven, constitutional rights.”
U.S. District Judge, David Bunning, ordered Davis’s release, but issued her a warning.
“Defendant 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,” the judge wrote in a court order.
“If Defendant Davis should interfere in any way with their issuance,” Judge Bunning wrote, “that will be considered a violation of this Order and appropriate sanctions will be considered.”
After her arrest by Federal Marshals, Davis spent only five days in jail for being in contempt. During that time, people across the country came together in protest and on social media to support her freedom.
In the meantime, deputy clerks at the Rowan County office followed the judge’s order to issue all marriage licenses to eligible couples.
According to the New York Times, Davis’ main problem with issuing the licenses was that they say they are issued by the clerk. Because this violates her conscience, she refused to authorize them.
“We’ve asked for a simple solution,” said Davis’ lawyer, Mathew D. Staver. “Get her name and authority off the certificate.”