Chicago fining churches for defying statewide stay-at-home order
Three Chicago churches will receive fines for holding services with more than 10 people, authorities tell Fox News; Matt Finn reports.
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A handful of New Jersey pastors say they are reopening in defiance of Gov. Phil Murphy's stay-at-home orders to stop the spread of the coronavirus, because of their religious convictions and constitutional rights.
Charles Clark Jr., co-pastor of Solid Rock Baptist Church in Berlin who has been preaching for 45 years, made the announcement Wednesday at the South Jersey house of worship.
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"We're not breaking the law by going to church," Clark Jr. said. "The people telling us we can't go to church are breaking the Constitution of the United States. It's illegal...It's just ridiculous in this country."
Pastor Charles Clark, Jr. of Solid Rock Baptist Church in Berlin, N.J. (Solid Rock Baptist Church)
His son, Charles Clark III, doubled down on his father's comments.
"The liquor store has been open the entire time. The grocery store has been open. Walmart is open, the pet store is open, the bicycle repair shop is open, and all are considered essential, but the church has been closed," Clark III said at the press conference. "And the church has been considered non-essential. We strongly disagree with that."
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Clark's attorney sent a letter to the Democratic governor demanding the status of churches in the Garden State be switched to essential given the First Amendment.
"Governor Murphy's executive order does not control the rights of the church," he said, "We understand the executive order has the power that it does for the time period necessary but it doesn't trump the power of the Constitution and it cannot go on indefinitely."
Pastor Charles Clark III, co-pastor of Solid Rock Baptist Church in Berlin, New Jersey, speaking at a press conference Wednesday saying his church and others are going to open with or without permission from the governor. (Solid Rock Baptist Church)
The pastor said they will take all health and safety precautions above and beyond what businesses already open are doing, including social distancing, deep cleaning, and temperature checks at the door.
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Andy Reese, pastor of Bible Baptist Church in Clementon, already reopened last Sunday and said he realizes he may face legal backlash holding a service Wednesday night as well.
"We're prepared to stand for what is right, for what is true, and we're prepared to face whatever consequences these are," Reese said. "If necessary, go to court."
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Murphy has made it clear that until there's a vaccine or a treatment, mass gatherings, including worship services, will remain restricted, ABC 6 reports.
Andy Reese, pastor of Bible Baptist Church in Clementon, New Jersey. (Solid Rock Baptist Church)
"Inside, no ventilation, close contact, it's a hard nut to crack," Murphy said. "We're just not there yet."
A month after issuing the original order, Murphy amended it to allow drive-in services after being sued by a North Caldwell Catholic priest in federal court. The pastors are asking for another change in the order.
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"I ain't afraid to go to jail. I don't want to go to jail, but I ain't backing down, our church ain't backing down, and there's churches all over this country that aren't backing down," Clark Jr. said.
It is unclear if the churches will face any push back from law enforcement or fines as churches have in Chicago and elsewhere.
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