CA Gov. Gavin Newsom’s order banning ALL worship applies to 99.1% of Californians …. but Liberty Counsel just secured a victory from the United States Supreme Court. The case is not over. Today, I will return to court. Read on to learn what is next for Pastor Ché Ahn, Harvest Rock Church and all California churches. -Mat

Help Liberty Counsel save our churches & defend religious freedom!

Last Thursday, Liberty Counsel achieved a MAJOR win on behalf of Californians banned from attending church.

CA Gov. Gavin Newsom had BANNED ALL WORSHIP for 99.1% of Californians. According to Newsom’s illegal orders, not only is it a criminal violation punishable by up to one year in prison if a church meets, but pastors, churches, and parishioners face daily $1,000 fines. And this NO WORSHIP and NO SINGING ban also applies to private homes with anyone who does not live there.

There are no words for what Newsom is doing. He has criminalized worship, church attendance and singing. No American should be faced with the decision to worship or go to prison!

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Earlier last week, we finished our filings WITH the Supreme Court, asking for an emergency injunction pending appeal as well as a grant of certiorari (cert) prior to judgment.

The latter request is almost never granted. It is exceedingly rare. But your prayers were answered, and our request was granted!

Thursday, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a substantial blow to Newsom’s lawless edicts...

"The September 2 order of the United States District Court for the Central District of California is vacated, and the case is remanded to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit with instructions to remand to the District Court for further consideration in light of Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn v. Cuomo," the Court’s order said.

In simple terms, the High Court has ordered the lower courts to follow its roadmap. Today, we return to the lower District Court to apply the ruling. But Gov. Newsom is once again trying to delay a ruling. Depending on what happens, at the end of the day we may have to again ask the Supreme Court for help to stop the criminal threats against our clients.

The Supreme Court ordered that California courts now rule in light of the recent SCOTUS decision in New York, which declared NY restrictions against religious entities to be unconstitutional. The CA restrictions are even worse than those in NY.

Between Harvest Rock Church and Harvest International Ministry, we represent nearly 170 CA churches.

Since the California lockdowns began, Pastor Ahn, other pastors, staff and parishioners have faced daily criminal charges punishable by up to one year in prison, $1,000 daily accumulating fines and closure of the church.

“The church has been essential for 2,000 years,” said our client, Pastor Ché Ahn. While Gov. Newsom has criminalized worship, he commended the rioters, saying, “God bless you. Keep doing it.”

Even though we won a major victory at the Supreme Court, we must continue litigating to apply this victory in all our church cases. Tyrannical governors do not want to let God’s people go. Like Pharaoh whose heart was hardened, we must continue to fight to free the captives.

Liberty Counsel has been defending the pastors, churches and parishioners across America who have had their First Amendment right to religious freedom STOLEN by overreaching governors and other officials.

We have several state and federal lawsuits pending against the governors of Maine, Virginia, Kentucky, Illinois, Colorado and (of course) Gov. Gavin Newsom of California. In addition, we are providing legal counsel to thousands of other pastors in 44 states. The assault on religious freedom this year has been simply appalling! And our IL case representing the Romanian churches is pending at the Supreme Court.

But the tide is turning, and WE ARE PREVAILING!

Nonetheless, this most recent action by the Supreme Court is not the end of the road -- not by a long shot!  Our team will need to continue litigating the California case before the lower courts, even as we continue advancing in our other state cases.

We have also reached the Supreme Court with our Illinois case and must now engage additional resources in preparation for that situation.

Thankfully, a NEW Year-End Challenge Grant has been established to DOUBLE THE IMPACT of your gift right now. Every gift between now and the end of the year will be effectively doubled. Please, give as generously as you can.

Our religious freedom truly hangs in the balance. But we are increasingly optimistic as our favorable rulings add up and we get more momentum in defending pastors and churches nationwide. Praise His name!

Help Liberty Counsel save our churches & defend religious freedom!
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Thank you for your investment in our crucial work,

Mat Staver
Founder & Chairman

P.S. NEW YEAR-END CHALLENGE GRANT! As I mentioned above, we have a new Challenge Grant that will effectively DOUBLE the impact of your donations between now and the end of the year! Select here or the button below.