Breaking: PJI Sues Governor Newsom for Shutting Down Churches, Declaring Them “Non-Essential”

PJI sues Governor Newsom, challenges unconstitutional treatment of churches May 21, 2020 Media Contact: Brad Dacus, 916-616-4126 (Spanish: 206-257-3239) Sacramento, CA — Today, Pacific Justice Institute (PJI) filed a federal lawsuit against California Gov. Gavin Newsom on behalf of two churches in Calaveras County that desire to receive equal treatment, as other institutions such as schools are permitted by the Governor to reopen. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California, seeks to restrain the Governor’s unconstitutional treatment of religious assemblies in his executive orders. Governor Newsom’s May 4 executive order, the Reopening Plan, lays out the four stages for reopening the State. Calaveras County, in the midst of Stage 2, is permitted to open schools again for educational purposes, but is forced to keep churches closed down until Stage 3. The rural churches in this case, Mountain Christian Fellowship and Refuge Church, have complied with Governor Newsom’s stay-at-home orders and did not conduct in-person services. Calaveras County reported only 13 known cases of COVID-19 and no deaths related to the virus, and the County currently has no known COVID-19 cases. Kevin Snider, Chief Counsel of PJI, who represents the churches in this lawsuit, stated, “These churches are not asking for preferential treatment from the State, but for equal treatment. No compelling state interest exists to apply different standards to a schoolhouse and a church. Instead of separating them like sheep from the goats, identical health and safety rules for both institutions could be put in place by the State.” “We at Pacific Justice Institute have waited for this strategic time to challenge Governor Newsom’s blatant violation of religious rights for churches to meet and congregate in defense of their faith,” commented Brad Dacus, President of PJI. “We are willing to take this all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary, as this sets the stage for many generations to come.” Please prayerfully consider partnering with PJI with a regular monthly contribution. Just press the red “Donate” bar below. Thank you!

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EMERGENCY: Washington DC Government Threatening to Tax Churches

I received word that the Washington DC City Council is seriously considering this.

Don’t say that MassResistance didn’t warn you:

Greetings Brethren – the DC GOVERNMENT IS THREATENING TO ELIMINATE OUR NON-profit tax exemption for our church property taxes, sales tax and franchise taxes.  All of our churches could be wiped out THIS YEAR.

It is absolutely imperative that EVERY PASTOR from every church in the city attend this meeting or send a representative. 

ONE YEAR OF PROPERTY TAXES ON THE VALUE OF OUR CHURCH PROPERTY COULD EQUAL HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AND WE WILL HAVE ONLY 30 DAYS TO GET A LETTER OF AFFIRMATION OF OUR TAX EXEMPT STATUS FROM THE IRS and the IRS IS NOW CLOSED DUE TO THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN!! 

In my opinion this is another way to get our Black churches out of the city.

We must act and act quickly!! Please spread the word about this urgent meeting.

PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT THIS URGENT MEETING. WE NEED PASTORS AND OR REPRESENTATIVES OF EVERY CHURCH.

Thank you,

Rev. Willie F. Wilson

pastorwfw@aol.com

Please govern yourselves accordingly.

MISSIONARY BAPTIST MINISTERS CONFERENCE OF DC &VICINITY