Liberty Counsel says they are representing more than 2,000 pastors and churches in 44 states with multiple lawsuits against governors in California, Illinois, Kentucky, Virginia, Maine and Colorado.
They’ve already concluded a case in Florida in which the client was the first pastor in the country to be arrested, handcuffed, booked and put in a cell until he posted bond. Liberty Counsel said that happened because he held a worship service.
In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom has banned all worship, including home Bible studies. The Pasadena prosecutor has also threatened to criminally charge each person who attends worship with a penalty of one year in prison.
In Illinois, Gov. J.B. Pritzker also issued an “illegal order,” according to Liberty Counsel. Those orders were enforced by Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot, who threatened to seize and destroy church buildings for refusing to limit worship to 10 people — regardless of the size of the sanctuary.
In Kentucky, Gov. Andy Beshear gave each person who attended an outdoor Easter service the equivalent of a 14-day house arrest.
In Virginia, Gov. Ralph Northam sent police cars to a church parking lot to arrest or scare away potential worshippers. The pastor was criminally charged for having 16 people in a 293-seat sanctuary.
In Maine, Gov. Janet Mills demanded churches apply for permission to open. They had to ask her for permission and could only open under her conditions with a “Governor Approved Church” badge on the door.
“Each of the governors of these states share these characteristics,” said Mat Staver, chairman of Liberty Counsel. “They encourage lawless riots and are extreme abortion and Planned Parenthood advocates who have no respect for religious freedom. Those willing to murder preborn children should never be trusted to govern the living.”
