Thousands of Christians traveled from across the state of Kentucky to gather on the Capitol Lawn Saturday, Aug. 22 in support of three Kentucky county clerks who have refused marriage licenses for same-sex couples. The mass of supporters were shouting Bible verses and backing the efforts to protect county clerks who have rejected licenses on religious terms. Rowan County Clerk, Kim Davis, encouraged the crowd to pray and "continue to stand firm in what we believe...God is alive, and He is on the throne," she shouted to the crowd.

Davis, along with the other two county clerks, Kay Schwartz and Casey Davis, were presented with plaques that read, "In recognition for your valiant and courageous stand for religious freedom."

"I believe that there is enough power and voice in these people right here that we can put God back in government where he belongs,” Casey County Clerk Casey Davis said. “Some people would argue about the separation of church and state; when did our state need more church in it than it does today?”

It was reported that all three clerks have denied licences to all same-sex couples following the ruling of the U.S. Supreme Court in June.

“The Supreme Court decision on marriage, now final, should not be used to erode any of the cornerstone birthright of every American - religious liberty,” said Kent Ostrander, Executive Director of The Family Foundation.

Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear proceeded to inform those clerks to issue all marriage licenses, including those for same-sex couples, or to resign. “When you accepted this job and took this oath, it puts you on a different level,” Beshear said in July. “And you have official duties now that state law puts on you.”

Speakers, as well as members participating in the rally, took shots at Beshear for nearly two hours, proclaiming that religious liberty and freedom are at stake if clerks are required to issue the forms. Several Republican conservatives and lawmakers pledged to change legislation next year in support of an exemption process for clerks.

Matt Bevin, a Republican gubernatorial candidate, said: “Clerk's lives matter. Christian lives matter. Religious liberty matters. The inalienable rights of every single American matter."