Court upholds California ban on church services in pandemic
LOS ANGELES (AP) A federal judge says California Gov. Gavin Newsom had the right to ban church assemblies to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Judge John Mendez ruled Tuesday that Newsom had the right to temporarily ban church gatherings in the interest of public health.
The Cross Culture Christian Center in Lodi and pastor Jonathan Duncan had alleged Newsom's stay-at-home order in March violated their constitutional rights to freedom of religion and assembly.
The church held services until the church's landlord, under threat of misdemeanor from county health officials, changed the locks on the church doors.
