Grace Community Church Sues Garcetti, Newsom Over Forced Closures

SUN VALLEY, CA — Grace Community Church and Pastor John MacArthur filed a lawsuit on Tuesday against Governor Newsom, Mayor Garcetti, and several other officials over what the church calls "unconstitutional and onerous coronavirus pandemic regulations." The suit argues that government officials overstepped their boundaries by ordering the closures, and are specifically targeting the church while others continue to break stay-at-home guidelines.

The megachurch specifically points to the large scale protests in the wake of George Floyd's death as a reason why they should be allowed to assemble.

"When many went to the streets to engage in ‘political protests’ against ‘racism’ and ‘police brutality,’ these protestors refused to comply with the pandemic restrictions," the lawsuit argues. "Instead of enforcing the public health orders, public officials were all too eager to grant a de facto exception for these favored protestors.”

Many nearby churches have turned to virtual livestreams to continue worship while limiting transmission of the virus. North Hollywood First United Methodist Church is streaming services online, while archiving sermons to allow the congregation to watch on their own time.

"I am proud that we, as a church, had already decided that we would refrain from re-starting in-person worship until we were comfortable everyone could be present," Pastor Steve Peralta wrote on the church's website. "Unfortunately, it appears that we might be waiting longer than we originally anticipated. Governor Newsom has once again closed church worship services as several outbreaks were traced to church services. Our own Bishop, Rev. Dr. Grant Hagiya, has asked that we follow the guidance of the Governor and that we hold one another’s safety as a highest priority."

Health officials have continued to express the urgent importance of limiting in-person interaction to slow the spread of COVID-19. As Los Angeles cross the grim threshold of 5,000 deaths in the county this Tuesday, County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer made a renewed plea for people to stay home and avoid large gatherings.

"This is a reminder that the risk for all of us is real and that no matter how young you are, this virus can be deadline," she said. "We must continue to adopt practices that slow the spread of this virus. This allows us to prevent these untimely deaths. Please practice physical distancing, wear a face covering, wash your hands and avoid gathering with people you don't live with."

Meanwhile, Grace Community Church held another packed service this past Sunday. Pastor MacArthur told CNN there were about "six or seven thousand" attendees at their most recent service, many of whom gave the pastor a standing ovation when he likened the service to a "peaceful protest."

Jenna Ellis, an attorney for Grace Community Church who also serves as senior legal advisor to the Trump 2020 campaign, argues churches should be allowed to reopen as an essential service.

"The government orders are also unconstitutional because there is no compelling need for the onerous restrictions on the churches at this time," she said. "The hospitals are not overwhelmed and the percentage death rate from COVID-19 is now extremely small. It is time for Governor Newsom and Mayor Garcetti to recognize what President Trump has already proclaimed: Churches are providing an ‘essential’ service to the people. Therefore, they must be allowed to serve the people in the manner in which God has called them.”