CALIFORNIA'S CHURCH BANS AND IMPENDING IMPEACHMENT TRIAL ARE RELATED

 California's church bans and former President Donald J. Trump's impending impeachment trial are more closely related than you might think. Read on. – Mat

And please remember, our CHALLENGE GRANT will DOUBLE THE IMPACT of your gift today. Liberty needs you!

Friend,

The political winds are shifting but thank the Lord we have the law on our side. Months ago, Liberty Counsel filed suit against CA Gov. Gavin Newsom and his outrageous assault on California's Christians.

Gov. Newsom has spent nearly an entire year violating the Constitution. He has literally criminalized worship in churches and private homes. This worship ban in churches covers 90-plus percent of the state and 100 percent of the private homes if you or a guest do not live there. Imagine, in California it’s illegal to have a friend over for prayer, worship or Bible study!

California's unconstitutional "no worship ban" began on March 17, 2020, was briefly modified, and then reimposed on July 13 and reaffirmed on August 28 and December 3.

Yet, Newsom's exemptions to COVID closure laws take up 29 single-spaced pages covering hundreds of types of secular gatherings – including liquor stores and abortion mills.

We've already been to the Supreme Court once against Gov. Newsom. On December 3, the Supreme Court set aside all the court orders and directed the lower courts to following its Thanksgiving Eve opinion. On December 4, we filed again for relief.

Since some of the judges in California still refuse to obey the clear law, we have returned to the Supreme Court – filing our emergency brief with hundreds of pages.

Since Tuesday night, when we filed for an emergency injunction pending appeal at the Supreme Court on behalf of Harvest Rock Church and Harvest International Ministry, Justice Elena Kagan has ordered the governor to respond by 5 p.m. PT this Friday.

As we have done for many months, we will be working Friday night into Saturday morning to file our reply brief.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals' decision defies logic. On January 22, a panel of judges on another case ruled the CA restrictions of 100 and 200 people in Tiers 2 and 3 were unconstitutional. But that panel also ruled that the total ban on worship in Tier 1 (almost all of CA) is fine.
 
That ruling makes NO sense. This Monday, our separate panel of three judges (which I expected to rule in our favor) said they were now bound by this prior ruling from the same court.

Judge O'Scannlain protested, writing that the decision is "woefully out of step with ... the Supreme Court." Also, this case "cries out for correction." So, we are back before the Supreme Court!
 

Defend the Church! Select here or the button below.

It is nothing new that oppressive rulers first target churches and then go after anyone who will not bow to their tyranny. What is new is this oppression has reached the shores of the land of liberty!

I believe we will receive a more impactful ruling from the High Court. Please continue to pray for our case representing Harvest Rock Church and Harvest International Ministry.

But even the fact that we must go to the Supreme Court on this obvious and basic principle of religious liberty and the RIGHT to attend a church service is extremely disturbing. I believe this problem is part of a much larger pattern of oppression that will, if we allow it to persist, destroy American liberty for all time.

The Constitution and the law are being intentionally disregarded by many in power in America. Just look at what is happening in Congress... the United States Senate is trying to impeach a private citizen!

Whether closing churches or impeaching a private citizen – both are unconstitutional and both are designed to silence political opposition.

The spirit that drives unconstitutional church bans is the same lawless spirit that is driving the unconstitutional impeachment of former President Donald J. Trump.

The Constitution is very clear; ONLY a person in office can be removed from office. If that person is no longer in office, he or she cannot be impeached. Nor is the Senate to be in the business of trying private citizens. Donald J. Trump is a private citizen. He cannot be impeached.

Moreover, only the Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court can preside over a Senate impeachment trial, not another highly partisan Democrat Senator.

Congressional fax machines cannot be turned off, so they cannot ignore you. Senators urgently need to hear from you. Send your urgent fax now.

Our Constitution was established to protect citizens from government tyranny and to establish the rule of law that all must follow.

The unconstitutional impeachment of former President Donald J. Trump is a kangaroo court and a mockery of the rule of law. I hope you will take a moment to fax senators RIGHT NOW and tell them NO IMPEACHMENT TRIAL!

Your faxes ARE working. Sen. Mitch McConnell had previously indicated that he would likely vote to impeach former President Trump. But in a procedural vote Tuesday, McConnell changed his mind and voted with 44 other Republicans to declare this process to be unconstitutional. WE CAN CHANGE MORE VOTES!
 

Select here or the button below.

We have many challenges and legal battles before us. But President Donald Trump left a lasting legacy in his appointment of hundreds of federal judges and three U.S. Supreme Court Justices. Now, we are back at the High Court with our CA churches and our Illinois church case, as well.

Liberty Counsel NEVER charges for our legal services. We are ONLY able to do all this because of YOU. With our extended Challenge Grant, you can DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT with your gift today. Support Liberty Counsel by selecting here or the button below.

Together, we can make a difference. With God, all things are possible!
 

Mat Staver,
Founder and Chairman
 

P.S. Don't forget! The 2021 Challenge Grant will DOUBLE THE IMPACT of any donation you make today. Please, give as generously as you can. Select here. P.P.S. Prefer a petition? Select here.

Liberty Counsel is a 501(c)(3), tax-exempt nonprofit organization. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
 

Click here to view this message online.

+   +   +   +   +   +   +   +   +   +   +   +   +   +   +   +   +   +   +   +   +

©1995-present, Liberty Counsel, with offices in Florida, Virginia and Washington, D.C., is a nonprofit litigation, education, and policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of human life, and the family.  Privacy Policy.

Liberty Counsel
PO Box 540774
Orlando, FL 32854
407-875-1776