DOJ to watch cities looking to close drive-in church over COVID concerns

syahrir maulana
Photo credit Getty_Images_syahrir_maulana

The Department of Justice, under the direction of Attorney General William Barr, is monitoring activities of state and local governments, especially in Kentucky and Mississippi where actions banning the gathering of parishioners in their vehicles at drive-in church services were banned. 

The cancellation of Easter Sunday, the most important date in Christianity, was met with a backlash lawsuit filed in federal court in Kentucky and police being dispatched to drive-in services in Greenville, MS to record license plate numbers and tell parishioner they will fined $500 if they participate in drive-in services. 

In Louisville, KY, Friday a federal judge issued an injunction against the Mayor of Louisville, allowing gatherings to proceed. 

Greenville’s Temple Baptist Church says it will sue the City and Mayor Errick Simmons calling his ban on drive-in services an unconstitutional over-reach of his authority. 

During this sacred week for many Americans, AG Barr is monitoring govt regulation of religious services. While social distancing policies are appropriate during this emergency, they must be applied evenhandedly & not single out religious orgs. Expect action from DOJ next week!

— KerriKupecDOJ (@KerriKupecDOJ) April 12, 2020

Freedom of religion is the first of the five freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment.

Kelly Shackelford, president of the First Liberty Institute, speaking to FOX News said “is just massively unconstitutional.”

“It targets churches in a way that it targets no other group,” Shackelford stated.  “Cars in parking lots are fine. It’s only a crime if the cars in the parking lot are at the church parking lot.”