Grace Church: Judge Again Refuses To Issue Restraining Order

SUN VALLEY, CA — For the fourth time, a Los Angeles Superior Court Judge refused to issue a temporary restraining order against Grace Community church in their battle for indoor worship. The megachurch has routinely held Sunday service for the past several weeks despite public health orders that prohibit mass gatherings.

In court on Tuesday, Judge Mitchell Beckloff ruled he did not have the authority to issue the restraining order. Previously, L.A. Superior Court Judge James Chalfant issued a similar ruling that was later halted by the California Court of Appeals.

Lawyers for the county argued the ruling had changed Chalfant's order, but Judge Beckloff said the circumstances surrounding the case had not changed, making the county's latest effort to penalize the church redundant.

“This should signal to LA County that California courts will not quickly or easily trample the constitutionally protected rights of churches," said Jenna Ellis, attorney for Grace Community Church. "We maintain that their health order is unconstitutionally burdening the right of churches to worship, and there exists no rational basis, much less a compelling interest, to try to shut down indoor services at this point, particularly when the county is allowing strip clubs to operate and massive riots to take place - and not seeking restraining ordersagainst them. We look forward to making those arguments at a subsequent proceeding, where we will ask the court to properly check this power grab by Los Angeles County and the State of California’s executive branch.”

In a statement, the county expressed displeasure at their latest defeat in court.

"[It is] deeply disappointing that the court decided not to grant the county's request for a temporary restraining order prohibiting Grace Community Church from holding indoor services, as it has done several times in recent weeks," the county said. "We look forward to a favorable ruling when a full hearing is heard on the matter on Sept. 4."

City News Service and Kenan Draughorne contributed to this report.