California Governor Gavin Newsom has now banned "singing and chanting" in houses of worship while encouraging those marching in massive street protests chanting "Death to America." This is one of the many cases we are working on around the country. Read on to learn more... --Mat

Before I get to the disturbing situation in California, I have some great news about a challenge grant that has been established to help the extraordinary litigation docket Liberty Counsel is managing due to the wave of unconstitutional church restrictions and our many other cases.

Every contribution today will be matched to double the impact of your gift. This challenge grant could not come at a better time.

Donate to the Liberty Counsel Litigation Fund and have YOUR DONATION DOUBLED through the challenge grant! – Select here or the button below.

The hypocrisy surrounding COVID restrictions continues to grow at an astounding rate. The express targeting of churches and houses of worship is evident in California Gov. Gavin Newsom's recent COVID mandate.

When people called for Newsom to end the closure of beaches, churches and businesses, those peaceful protestors were met with condemnation by the governor's office. Yet when violent Marxist BLM/Antifa protests broke out, Newsom openly supported and encouraged the mass gatherings, even as they screamed "Death to America, Death to the Police."

After police used rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the mass protests when they turned violent, Newsom stood firm in his support of the Marxist revolutionaries, scolding the police in a tweet, saying "Protestors have the right to protest peacefully – and not be harassed."

Yet, Gov. Newsom intentionally ignores the religious freedom clause of the First Amendment and the Free Speech Clause for religious assemblies.

Despite encouraging singing and chanting as violent mobs tore apart Los Angeles and other golden state cities, Gov. Newsom has banned singing and chanting in houses of worship while also limiting church attendance to 25 percent of capacity, or 100 people, whichever is less -- no matter the size of the auditoriums.

On July 1, as thousands gathered unobstructed in California streets to hurl obscenities at police officers, Newsom issued a new directive entitled "COVID-19 Industry Guidance: Places of Worship and Providers of Religious Services and Cultural Ceremonies."

This new edict places ridiculous restrictions on churches and congregations, including the banning of singing during worship services.

"*Places of worship must therefore discontinue singing and chanting activities and limit indoor attendance to 25% of building capacity or a maximum of 100 attendees, whichever is lower." – California Department of Health. (July 1, 2020). COVID-19 Industry Guidance: Places of Worship and Providers of Religious Services and Cultural Ceremonies. Sacramento, CA. CDOH

In essence, Gov. Newsom has declared:

• You can sing about killing cops, but you can't sing about Almighty God or the precious blood of Jesus.

• You can fill the streets with violent anti-government protests, but you cannot have more than 100 people in a church to peacefully worship the Lord.

Defend Religious Freedom and have YOUR DONATION DOUBLED through the challenge grant! – Select here or the button below.

Like all the other restrictions tyrannical (generally Democrat pro-abortion) governors and local officials have attempted to put on America's churches, Newsom's latest orders are illegal and unconstitutional.

The First Amendment of the United States Constitution declares that government MAY NOT dictate the form or manner of worship, nor can it arbitrarily limit the number of people to 100 no matter the size of the building. Further, government cannot restrict or deny a church or churchgoers from exercising their right to practice their religion as an organization or person sees fit.

Any state action to restrict worship is illegal and unconstitutional…even in a time of COVID.

Liberty Counsel has been the tip of the spear throughout the COVID restrictions, fighting to keep America's religious freedom FREE. We have federal lawsuits pending in four Courts of Appeal where we are suing on behalf of churches and pastors facing unconstitutional restrictions, with some pastors facing criminal charges for having more than 10 people in a service.

Additionally, we continue to work closely with thousands of other pastors and churches in reopening services safely despite illegal attempts to shutter churches. We continue all of this along with our ongoing work, in which we have multiple other cases before the Supreme Court and dozens of others pending in various stages of litigation. Our work is often focused on religious freedom - defending the sanctity of life, marriage and family values.

This past year has taxed our resources like no other year before. That is why I am so grateful that a generous supporter has established a challenge grant to start our new fiscal year strong!

For a limited time, EVERY DONATION made to Liberty Counsel WILL BE DOUBLED in its impact! Please, take advantage of this opportunity to fully fund Liberty Counsel's legal work on behalf of Christians under attack. Just select here or the button below.

Make no mistake, Christianity is under attack in America.

But with YOUR help, Liberty Counsel will be here to defend religious liberty.

"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lost heart." Galatians 6:9

In Christ,

Mat Staver
Founder & Chairman

P.S. Are you as tired of the contrived COVID shutdowns as I am? Businesses are still shuttered, churches restricted, and liberty has taken a backseat to unmitigated and unreasonable tyranny. Please, take a moment to fax all 50 governors and tell them to RE-OPEN AMERICA! Select here or the button below.