Conservative 'Oath Keeper' Militia On Its Way To Protect Kim Davis From Further Arrests
The Kim Davis story has taken a bizarre and disturbing turn this week. The Oath Keepers, a far-right extremist militia that spearheaded an armed standoff with the federal government because welfare cowboy Cliven Bundy didn’t want to pay his taxes, stationed armed “guards” outside military recruitment centers (and got sent home because they made those they were “protecting” uncomfortable), patrolled the streets of Ferguson during the protests (an action that served to increase tensions between protesters and police), is now offering support to right-wing bigot Kim Davis.
Davis, the Kentucky county clerk who was recently released from jail on the condition that she not continue her practice of interfering with the licensing of same-sex marriages, is not expected to remain free for long. Davis, through her attorneys, has vowed to continue the fight against equality despite a judge’s order not to.
But not so fast, say Cliven Bundy’s armed guards. The Oath Keepers appear ready to initiate yet another armed standoff. This time, it will not be because a racist degenerate cowboy doesn’t want to pay what he owes for grazing on federal land; Instead, the Oath Keepers will take up arms against the judge that placed Davis in jail — and released her — if he attempts to take further action against the “Christian” lady.
Jim Rhodes, founder of the anti-government “patriot” organization, says that as “Davis tries to assert her authority over her own office” now that she is released, “she liable to be grabbed up again by the same judge.” This statement is, of course, true. If she does not comply with the terms of her release, it is very likely that Davis will face the same sort of penalty anyone else would face.
“As far as we’re concerned, this is not over,” Rhodes fellow Oath Keepers on Wednesday, “and this judge needs to be put on notice that his behavior is not going to be accepted and we’ll be there to stop it and intercede ourselves if we have to.”
“If the sheriff, who should be interceding, is not going to do his job and the governor is not going to do the governor’s job of interceding, then we’ll do it,” Rhodes said.
On the organization’s web site, Rhodes says that the judge has “grossly overstepped his bounds and violated Mrs. Davis’ due process rights, and in particular her right to a jury trial” in holding Davis in contempt.
“No one man should have that kind of power in his hands alone to decide guilt and impose a sentence of indefinite detention,” Rhodes explained, apparently not understanding the legal system. “Under our Constitution, that dictatorial power does not exist. We must stand against this. And so we will protect her and prevent it from happening again.”
“People should consider her under our protection,” Rhodes tells his fellow Oath Keepers. “We’ll make sure that our people are keeping a close eye on the situation and we’re going have boots on the ground to keep watch regardless, because this judge needs to understand that he’s not going be able to just go grab this lady whenever he feels like it.”
Listen to the brain trusty at the Oath Keepers talk about the situation, below:
