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Kim Davis, the Anti–Gay Marriage County Clerk and Conservative Hero, Was Freed from Jail

The judge ordered her not to interfere with her subordinates as they issued marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

Read: The Eastern European Gay Rights Movement Is Struggling to Be More Than a Western Cause

Last week, Kim Davis was put in jail for refusing to issue same-sex couples marriage licenses as part of her duties as a Rowan County clerk. On Tuesday she has been freed, reports the New York Times.

When US District Judge David Bunning sentenced the 49-year-old Apostolic Christian, he ruled that she stay in jail until she complied with federal law. The case had become a national media circus, with hundreds of pro- and anti-Davis protesters gathered outside the courthouse. Meanwhile, five out of six of the other Rowan County clerks agreed to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples in Kentucky. (Allegedly, Davis's son was the only one who didn't budge.)

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From theTimes:

Judge Bunning ordered that Ms. 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." He said any such action would be regarded as "a violation" of his release order.

Several GOP candidates for president had voiced their support of Davis, with Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal saying that it was OK with him if a government official wanted to ignore federal laws in favor of right-wing Christian doctrine. "I think you should be able to keep your job and follow your conscience," he said.

UPDATE 9/8: Here's a video of Davis being released from prison to enthusiastic cheers, accompanied by her lawyer, her husband, and Mike Huckabee: