Never underestimate the determination of a liberal government entity in 2020 to force you to do their will. Throughout the CV19 Flu malady, we have watched with growing dismay while Democratic governors have abusively seized rights and power from their constituents. This is not a political statement, but rather an observation of what is now fully apparent. Georgia, South Dakota, Florida, Oklahoma, and Texas have been much more respectful of the Constitutional rights of the citizens that they serve. California however, is one of the worst states in the country (along with New York), executing abusive power over its constituents.
While Grace Community Church has continued to meet together for worship services in Sun Valley, California, the Los Angeles County that they reside in has repeatedly tried to force them to shut down their church services. The Church, claiming First Amendment protection has soldiered on. So the obsessive County is now trying a new line of attack..
After Los Angeles County's latest courtroom defeat in their ongoing attempt to prevent Pastor John MacArthur and his Grace Community Church from meeting for indoor services, county officials have retaliated against the church by issuing a 30-day termination notice for Grace's parking lot lease.
The Grace Community Church received a letter on Friday from the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works.
It gives a 30-day notice to the church that the County is terminating a lease agreement for a large portion of the parking lot of the church that has been in place continuously since 1975.
Attributable to Jenna Ellis, Special Counsel to Thomas More Society:
"Los Angeles County is retaliating against Grace Community Church for simply exercising their constitutionally protected right to hold church and challenging an unreasonable, unlawful health order. In America, we have a judicial system to ensure that the executive branch does not abuse its power, and Grace Community Church has every right to be heard without fear of reprisal. The Democrats' message to Americans is clear--if you don't bow to every whim of tyranny, the government will come after you. The Church has peacefully held this lease for 45 years and the only reason the County is attempting eviction is because John MacArthur stood up to their unconstitutional power grab. This is harassment, abusive, and unconscionable."
We empathize with the Grace Community Church and admire their fortitude in standing up for the right to assemble that is found in the First Amendment. We call on Seventh-day Adventist Churches and Conferences to stand with Grace Community Church in this matter. If we don’t, we may one day soon wish that we had.
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"Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand” (Ephesians 6:11).