George Takei Calls Kim Davis Supporters ‘Un-American,’ Rips Politicians
George Takei, former Star Trek star and famous Internet punster, ripped supporters of county clerk Kim Davis, calling them un-American. Davis recently rose to national fame after she was arrested for refusing to issue marriage certificates to gay couples.
Takei took on the issue on Facebook.
“If she had denied marriage certificates to an interracial couple, would people cheer her? Would presidential candidates flock to her side? In our society, we obey civil laws, not religious ones. To suggest otherwise is, simply put, entirely un-American.”
George Takei sent his message along with a video of the county clerk shortly following her release from jail. She was joined on stage by presidential candidate and former Governor Mike Huckabee.
She was charged with contempt of court. Her short prison sentence rallied social conservatives who said she was being denied her first amendment right to freedom of religion.
George Takei rebuked those people who have made Davis into an overnight celebrity.
“Well this is a bit of a circus. So let us be clear: This woman is no hero to be celebrated. She broke her oath to uphold the Constitution and defied a court order so she could deny government services to couples who are legally entitled to be married. She is entitled to hold her religious beliefs, but not to impose those beliefs on others.”
Although Takei has spoken out on many political issues, gay marriage is a personal fight for the Star Trek legend. In 2008, George married his long-time partner, Brad Altman, after then-Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed a ban on gay marriage.
Still, the rally for Kim Davis revealed that gay marriage remains a controversial issue. According to CNN, Mike Huckabee, who organized the rally for the clerk after her release, went so far as to say he would gladly go to jail himself.
“If you have to put someone in jail, I volunteer to go. Let me go. Lock me up if you think that’s how freedom is best served. Because folks, I am willing to spend the next eight years in the White House leading in this country. But I want you to know I’m willing to spend the next eight years in jail, but I’m not willing to spend the next years in tyranny under people who think they can take our freedom and conscience away.”
MSNBC reports that other Republican presidential candidates have also defended Kim Davis, including Ted Cruz, Rick Santorum, and Bobby Jindal.
George Takei countered a few legal arguments for Davis on his Facebook post as well, explaining that the county clerk’s actions violated the Prohibition Clause of the first amendment by granting governmental favor to one particular religious viewpoint.
[Image Credit: Getty Images]
