After Pastor Faces Jail For Disobeying Virginia Order – His Church Sues The Governor, Then Barr’s DOJ Sides With Them
Ben Dutka
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Remember when Attorney General William Barr said he would protect our Constitutional rights?
Last week, he said his Department of Justice would be on the lookout for overly strict lockdown measures.
Well, it didn’t take long for Barr’s team to spot one glaring example — they found it in the state of Virginia.
A pastor dared to hold a church service for 16 people on Palm Sunday. And as a result, he was facing a steep fine and possibly even jail time.
However, it seemed like a ridiculous arrest: the church could hold 293 people, and only 16 – properly spaced out – were in attendance.
And the DOJ agrees that it WAS ridiculous.
They’re stepping in to help the church in their battle against Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (via Fox News):
The Justice Department is siding with a Virginia church suing Gov. Ralph Northam after police threatened a pastor with jail time or a $2,500 fine for violating the state’s coronavirus lockdown restrictions by holding a 16-person church service on Palm Sunday.
GOOD!
When police served a summons to Lighthouse Fellowship Church pastor Kevin Wilson, that was a step too far in the eyes of many.
The church quickly leveled a lawsuit against Northam and the state of Virginia. And rightfully so, I say.
Mat Staver, chairman and founder of Liberty Counsel, who is representing the pastor, added:
As important as it is that we stay safe during these challenging times, it is also important for states to remember that we do not abandon all of our freedoms in times of emergency.
Unlawful discrimination against people who exercise their right to religion violates the First Amendment, whether we are in a pandemic or not.
That’s exactly right.
And the good news is, our Department of Justice is lending their significant influence and power to this battle.
So it looks like DO have allies in Washington, and Barr is true to his word!
They may find many other examples of draconian lockdown orders in the country. Maybe they should take a gander at Michigan, for instance…
But no matter what happens, it’s nice to know that Pastor Wilson and the faithful Virginia residents have a strong ally!