On Monday, dozens of supporters of Kentucky clerk Kim Davis massed and protested outside the home of the federal judge who jailed her last week on contempt charges.
The impromptu rally outside U.S. District Court Judge David Bunning’s house in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, was organized by the anti-abortion group Operation Save America. Protesters carried signs distributed by the conservative American View group. American View was founded by the neo-Confederate creationist Michael Peroutka.
Standing outside the Bunning home, Rev. Philip “Flip” Benham announced:
“You, sir, are the one that’s in contempt of the law. You, sir, are the one in contempt of God’s court, you’re in contempt of the Constitution of the United States of America, of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and sir, you need to repent. If you don’t repent, we’re going to ask that the sheriff in Grayson County arrest you for putting this precious little girl into jail. It’s wrong.”
A local sheriff arresting a federal judge for a ruling issued under the authority of an earlier ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court? Yeah, good luck with that. As usual, these extremists don’t even understand how the American system of justice works. That would require too much reading.
Bobby McGovern, who was visiting a relative that lives near the judge, remarked about the protesters:
“It’s sad that someone that did their job and followed the law, that his whole street now is affected by these yahoos with their signs and everything.”
Protester Dave Daubenmire declared that he knows who is guilty in this conflict:
“Show us the law or set her free. We believe Kim Davis is the one following the law and the judge is the one breaking the law.”
Attorneys for Ms. Davis have filed an emergency motion in federal court asking Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear to exempt her from issuing marriage licenses.
