(Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
(CN) The Calvary Chapel Church in San Jose urged a federal judge Thursday afternoon to block California and Santa Clara County’s Covid-19 restrictions so that its congregants can continue gathering to worship.
U.S. District Judge Beth Labson Freeman indicated in a hearing held via Zoom that she was unlikely to grant the request, although she acknowledged the tension between the right to worship and public health orders warranted such a hearing.
“I am inclined to deny the scope of the requested relief,” Labson Freeman said at the beginning of the hearing as she asked the plaintiffs to persuade her otherwise.
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In wake of U S Supreme Court ruling, attorneys appeal state judge s decision to fine California church $255,000 for violating COVID restrictions
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10 Dec 2020
Calvary Chapel in San Jose, California, is facing a fine of as much as $55,000 for violating coronavirus lockdown orders by holding indoor services. This latest fine is on top of more than $700,000 in fines already imposed on the church.
Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Peter Kirwan said the orders issued by the county’s health department were necessary to slow the spread of the coronavirus and that the church needed to comply with the county and the court.
The
San Francisco Chroniclereported on the judgment issued this week:
Calvary Chapel and its pastor, Mike McClure, were found to have defied a Nov. 2 court order that directed it to follow then-current public health regulations that limited gatherings, including religious meetings, to no more than 100 people indoors and required attendees to wear masks and practice social distancing. Churches were also required to submit plans on how they would protect members. County inspectors said they found daily vi