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Ninth Circuit Court SMACKS DOWN Gavin Newsom on These Restrictions

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Score one for the 1st Amendment and freedom of religion in America.

A year ago, Liberty Counsel sued Gov. Gavin Newsom on behalf of Harvest Rock Church and Harvest International Ministry. This was for Newsom’s Covid restrictions on worship services from March 2020 to May 2021.

Liberty Counsel argued that Newsom discriminated against houses of worship when he imposed restrictions on them. But he didn’t impose them on grocery stores, big box stores, and others considered “critical infrastructure” or “essential services.” And the U.S. Supreme Court agreed.

Last May, a federal district court approved the first state-wide permanent injunction in the U.S. against COVID restrictions on churches and places of worship. This allowed all California churches to hold worship services without any restrictions. The injunction also required the state of California to pay Liberty Counsel $1.35 million for attorney’s fees and other costs.

The money will be used to continue legal action on behalf of other churches against the COVID restrictions. This includes a case pending before the U.S. Supreme Court. A portion of the payment also will be used to pay off the mortgage on its Washington, D.C., ministry center.

Newsom was the first to impose the most severe restrictions on churches, home Bible studies and worship in the nation. The U.S. Supreme Court also reprimanded the governor, in an unusual move. And so did the Ninth Circuit, for repeatedly not following the court’s instructions.

This ruling and seven-figure fine is a good first step to stem the tide of future Covid restrictions. But Democrat leaders across the country have shown they won’t give up the emergency powers they gained during the pandemic easily.

Will this decision be enough to discourage liberal governors and mayors from shutting down churches and small businesses? Tell us what you think in the comments section below.