Attorney General Brenna Bird has announced that Iowa has joined a coalition of 20 states to support churches and other religious organizations in a legal challenge against California’s restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The coalition argues that California imposed emergency rules that banned churchgoers from attending religious services, while allowing exceptions for certain groups such as professional athletes and restaurants.
According to the announcement, California also required churches to follow mask mandates, yet allowed professional football players to play contact sports without masks. The fines imposed on churches for violating these restrictions reportedly reached millions of dollars.
“The First Amendment guarantees our right to the free exercise of religion,” said Attorney General Bird. “California’s use of emergency powers to blatantly discriminate against churches undermines the very principles our country was founded upon. We will not stand by and allow states like California to violate the fundamental liberties of Americans.”
Iowa joined the amicus brief led by West Virginia along with Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Utah.
