'Big Tent Revival' Attendees Defy City's Mask Mandate​

DES PLAINES, IL — Amid reports of upwards of 150 people gathering without masks at a series of religious activities at the Methodist Campground on East Algonquin Road, the City of Des Plaines is demanding the group follow state COVID-19 mandates. Members of The Last Reformation have been holding "Big Tent Revival" events all week with plans to continue through Sunday.

Following an emergency meeting Tuesday night, Mayor Matthew Bogusz signed a revised and updated emergency declaration that according to Alderman Andrew Goczkowski, puts "Des Plaines' face covering and social distancing requirements a step ahead of Gov. J.B. Pritzker's executive order," which includes a broad exemption for the free exercise of religion. The new Des Plaines' declaration is intended to treat all public gatherings equally, according to Goczkowski, whether they are religious in nature or not.

"Failure to do so will result in a citation and fine," Goczkowski said. "Failure to comply after a citation may result in further action."

According to the city, the fine is $750 for each violation, and it would mount each day.

Torben Sondergaard, organizer of the "Big Tent Revival" events, took to social media Wednesday requesting assistance from President Donald Trump. He stated his group will continue congregating and that an "order is not a law."

"We have sent a letter to the President of the United States to ask for his help," Sondergaard said on Facebook. "I'm asking all Americans to pray now for a supernatural intervening to stop this Socialist Agenda before we become like China, Russia, Cuba, Venezuela, or Iran."

In a video uploaded to YouTube, Sondergaard is seen receiving a notice of the City's executive order from the Des Plaines Police Department.

"It is a crazy world we are living in. You can riot as much as you want. But you can not worship together without masks even on private property," said Sondergaard, who claims between 400-500 people have attended each night since last Friday. "The city has tried everything they can to shut our revival meeting down but couldn't."

None of the dozens of organizers and attendees seen at the campground Thursday afternoon were wearing masks.

A letter from the city was sent to residents Tuesday acknowledging a number of concerns over the gathering.

"The City had no choice but to issue a tent permit. The Governor exempted religious groups from his order for gathering of 50 people or less," Alderman Colt Moylan (Des Plaines Ward 2) said. "The group is peaceful so far."

An event permit was not issued to Sondergaard and his group. Sondergaard said Thursday an event permit is not needed for the gathering, only the approved tent permit.

Moylan added that the Des Plaines City Council will talk about the campground at its next meeting on Monday "to implement certain language so this won't happen again." He also said police are monitoring the gathering around the clock.

"Our freedom to worship is now being attacked by an overinflated COVID-19 pandemic Trojan horse. It's not OK to allow terrorists to burn our country, shoot innocent people, burn federal buildings, tear down historical statues, capture police stations, but not worship the king Jesus Christ," Sondergaard said. "They are coming for your freedom to worship."

Claiming "religious persecution" from his native Denmark, Sondergaard is reportedly seeking asylum in the United States and has been living with his family in North Carolina since last year. According to a Kickstart campaign for the event, Sondergaard started The Last Reformation in 2011. Similar gatherings are scheduled around the world following the Des Plaines event with a stop in New Hampshire planned for August.

Camilla Johnson, chairman of InsideOut, a Danish anti-cult organization, reached out to Patch regarding Sondergaard's claim of being religiously persecuted in Denmark.

"We simply want to let you know and stress that this claim is not true," Johnson said. "Instead, we do suspect that Torben Sondergaard fraudulently claims he is entitled to asylum in the U.S. and he is using his position as a leader to coerce his followers to comply and participate in this scheme."

InsideOut helps victims of cults and radical, religious groups, according to its website. It also works with the Danish government, Danish child protection organizations and the Danish media to expose cult leaders and help victims of negative social control in religious communities.

"We know this particular group led by Torben Sondergaard well, for example, for his disregard for the health of others, violent exorcisms to 'purify' sinners, children and the mentally ill included," Johnson said. "Former members have told us stories of TLR leaders and members using their positions of authority to intimidate followers to either comply or be silent when trying to expose this group."

There have been a number of reports on social media of members of The Last Reformation attempting to "recruit followers" at spots around the area and not practicing social distancing guidelines when doing so. On the Kickstart page for the event, Sondergaard states that his group would be sending members "out on the street."

Ida Cryes, who says she's a former student of The Last Reformation, told Patch that Sondergaard is "faking his asylum" as there's no law in Denmark or persecution.

Residents have been making posts to Facebook expressing their frustration with city officials and the group. Here are a few posts:

• This is unacceptable! They are in fact out in the community, harassing people! Also, no masks or Social Distancing, putting our residents in harm's way! Shut it down! Talking about it next Monday is not going to help in any way!
• Just drove by. No police anywhere. This is a serious problem and the leaders of our community are completely absent. I am furious
• There have been reports of these people out at Prairie Lakes and Lake Opeka approaching children. They were also at Costco in MP approaching people and are staying at a hotel in Schaumburg. No social distancing and no masks. They are potentially spreading Covid all over the community!

Related:
Illinois Ministry Sues Pritzker, Alleges 'Hostility' To Religion
Court Sides With Pritzker On Religious Gathering Restrictions
Coronavirus Panic Over 'Big Tent Revival' Religious Gatherings