CA Gov. Gavin Newsom was forced to defend his illegal church restrictions as he was ordered to file a response yesterday to our lawsuit. Read on to learn where the case now stands and what we as the body of Christ must now do to preserve and protect our churches. - Mat

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When CA Gov. Gavin Newsom first issued his draconian shutdown orders, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti was more than happy to act as Newsom's henchman. On March 18, Mayor Garcetti announced he would be "deputizing" city bureaucrats to "enforce" stay at home orders . . . including sending those newly minted "deputies" house-to-house to ensure compliance with the city's and state's unconstitutional orders.

Fast forward five months, and LA Mayor Garcetti still plays the role of a compliant henchman. Gov. Newsom's outrageous shutdowns and Mayor Garcetti's draconian enforcement orders continue to restrict churches... but not protestors and rioters! That is why we filed suit on behalf of Harvest Rock Church and Harvest International Ministry, which has 162 affiliated churches and ministries in California.

While ordering no singing, and then no worship -- including in private homes -- Newsom repeatedly makes public statements supporting the Marxist, Antifa and BLM riots. And as recently as July 23, Mayor Garcetti tweeted in support of the violent uprisings and riots destroying Portland, saying:

"Demonstrators for racial justice represent the best of our democratic ideals. The President's unilateral deployment of federal forces betrays them — and does nothing to keep us safe. L.A. stands with our friends in Portland." — MayorOfLA (@MayorOfLA) July 23, 2020

Meanwhile, 80% of California's Christians, including those in Mayor Garcetti's city, are prohibited from ALL worship, which includes Bible studies and fellowship, even in their own homes.

You likely know that downtown Portland, OR, has been largely taken over by thousands of non-socially distanced Marxist revolutionaries for over 50 days at this point. Like Seattle, WA, the city has literally and figuratively been set on fire by people preaching about the benefits of using a guillotine on capitalists and folks who refuse to "get on board" with Antifa and BLM's Marxist revolution.

And late this past Friday night, the out-of-control Portland protestors burned stacks of Bibles as kindling to torch the American flag, as reported by both the New York Post and Rev. Franklin Graham. The video of this desecration is deeply disturbing.

Don't Let Anti-God Governors Silence Our Churches

Unfortunately, West Coast Marxists in the Democrat Party are not alone in their attacks on the church...

IL Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot have praised protestors while also slapping our client Elim Romanian Pentacostal Church with a Summary Abatement order threatening to seize and destroy church buildings. They also encouraged riots and Pritzker even participated in a march with thousands of radicals.

VA Gov. Ralph Northam praised the protests even as our client, the pastor of Lighthouse Fellowship in Chincoteague Island, was arrested for having six people too many in his chapel. Northam also publicly supports BLM riots.

KY Gov. Andy Beshear was among the first in the nation to target Christians, putting all attendees of our client Maryville Baptist Church's Easter Sunday parking lot service under the equivalent of 14-day house arrest, even though none were tested for COVID and none even got out of their cars! Yet, Beshear, like the other failed Democrat officials listed above, supports radical protestors and riots.

This is but a sampling of the overt attacks against American pastors and churches taking place right now that we are fighting in court.

The message coming from progressive Democrat politicians is clear: Marxist rioters are welcome and free to do as they please. Christians and places of worship are not.

This is a busy week for us. We are filing a crucial reply to CA Gov. Newsom and an equally critical reply brief in our Calvary Chapel case in Maine.

Thank God for YOU, the faithful Liberty Counsel supporter! Without you, Liberty Counsel would never be able to afford to defend these beleaguered pastors and persecuted churches. Our legal services to them, and all our other clients fighting for religious liberty, are always free and can take place only because of YOUR generosity.

And today, a generous Liberty Counsel supporter will effectively DOUBLE your impact through a limited-time challenge grant. Please, make your most generous gift possible today. It could not come at a better time -- our churches and religious freedom in America are truly on the line.

Don't forget! Donate TODAY and have your gift doubled in impact by the providential challenge grant!

In Christ,

Mat Staver
Founder and Chairman

P.S. Tired of the shutdowns and unconstitutional restrictions on our liberty? Take a moment to tell all 50 governors to RESTORE OUR RIGHTS & RE-OPEN AMERICA! Select here.

P.P.S. Please don't let this challenge grant opportunity pass you by. America's pastors and churches are relying on YOU, a faithful Liberty Counsel supporter, to help ensure religious freedom remains FREE! Select here or the graphic below.