Pasadena Church Gets Small Win In Coronavirus Restrictions Suit

LOS ANGELES, CA — The Supreme Court Thursday ordered a lower court to reconsider its ruling in Harvest Rock Church's federal lawsuit against Governor Gavin Newsom's coronavirus restrictions. The Pasadena-based church previously sought a court order blocking Newsom's ban on indoor worship, but was denied by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Newsom recently halted reopening plans and moved to restrict many activities due to the renewed surge of coronavirus across Los Angeles. Earlier this week, Los Angeles County set a new single-day record with a whopping 7,593 new coronavirus cases.

"Today's ruling by the Supreme Court provides great relief for churches and places of worship," said Mat Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel, which represents the ministry. "The handwriting is now on the wall. The final days of Gov. Gavin Newsom's `color-coded executive edicts' banning worship are numbered and coming to an end. It is past time to end these unconstitutional restrictions on places of worship."

The California Attorney General's Office opposed the church's legal fight. A representative for the governor could not immediately be reached for comment.

City News Service contributed to this report.