LOS ANGELES (AP) — Lawyers for a church with more than 160 congregations across California say they will seek an immediate court order allowing indoor worship after the Supreme Court told a lower federal court to reexamine state coronavirus restrictions on church services.
The victory Thursday for Pasadena-based Harvest Rock Church and Harvest International Ministry follows a recent high court ruling in favor of churches and synagogues in New York.
“The bottom line result is that where the court needs to go is inevitable,” said Attorney Mathew Staver, who represents the church. “What the court did last week and what they did today, it’s a whole new landscape and I think they’ve telegraphed quite clearly the direction they’re going.”
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The Supreme Court order came the day after restaurants gained some traction in their challenge to a Los Angeles County ban on outdoor dining.
The cases represent rare gains in legal challenges of COVID-19 regulations.