<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A lawyer representing a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/california" target="_blank" rel="noopener">California</a> church <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/outrageous-california-church-ordered-to-pay-over-a-million-dollars-in-covid-fines" target="_blank" rel="noopener">recently ordered to pay</a> $1.2 million in <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/covid" target="_blank" rel="noopener">COVID</a> fines responded to the ruling this week, saying that the case has major <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/first-amendment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">First Amendment</a> ramifications.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mariah Gondeiro, a lawyer with Advocates for Faith and Freedom representing Calvary Chapel </span><a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/san-jose"><span style="font-weight: 400;">San Jose</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, told The Daily Wire on Tuesday that she believed the church had a solid case to appeal the fines and that the public should be disturbed by the treatment of the church by the county. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“This case should alarm the public, that this is what happens when you have unchecked power. This is what it can lead to. It can lead to an individual or individuals doing whatever they can to maintain power, and to enforce their rules even if their rules go against the constitution,” she said, describing the situation as “alarming.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The comments followed a decision from Superior Court Judge Evette Pennypacker ordering the church to pay $1.2 million in fines after it did not follow COVID restrictions put in place by Santa Clara County, requirements the church said violated its religious freedom. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“This county has been very vengeful. It isn’t about health and safety because the evidence shows that they can’t trace anything to the church,” she added. “They are trying to make a statement that no one will ever disobey their orders again.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The county said the orders were aimed at public health and did not target religious institutions. “It’s the County’s job to take care of its residents and protect the public health,” Santa Clara County Counsel James R. Williams </span><a href="https://californiaglobe.com/articles/santa-clara-county-superior-court-judge-rules-against-calvary-chapel-san-jose-orders-them-to-pay-1-2-million/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">said</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. “Calvary’s arguments have been rejected at almost every turn. We are gratified that the Court once again saw through Calvary’s unsupported claims and found them meritless.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The ruling is the latest in the battle between the county and the church, which began after the church was fined starting in November 2020 and up to June 2021 when it did not follow the county’s restrictions and challenged the rules in court. The church was fined over masks, social distancing, and hosting large gatherings. </span></p>
<p><b data-stringify-type="bold"><a class="c-link c-link--focus-visible" href="https://onelink.to/dwapp" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="https://onelink.to/dwapp" data-sk="tooltip_parent">CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILY WIRE APP</a></b></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Gondeiro expects the case to be heard by a federal appeals court and was confident in the church&#8217;s case. Other churches in the Golden State have also gone to court over related issues, with churches in the San Diego area and Los Angeles County picking up legal victories. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“This is much bigger than Pastor Mike [McClure] and this church,” Gondeiro said. “This is government overreach at its finest, and if we don’t hold this county accountable the implications will be far and wide.”</span></p>

<script async src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script><div data-widget-host="revcontent" data-pub-id="165152" data-widget-id="290588"></div><script src="https://delivery.revcontent.com/165152/290588/widget.js"></script>

‘Alarming’: Lawyer For California Church Responds After Million Dollar COVID Fine Handed Down

CONTINUE READING

Trump Dismantles Jill Biden’s ‘Stroke’ Claim

Bezos-Owned Rocket Explodes, And It Looks Like A Nuclear Bomb Went Off

Obama-Appointed Judge Caught Fornicating In Chambers Within Earshot Of Clerks

FBI Uncovers Secret Gold Stash During Raid Of Former CIA Officer’s Home

Jill Biden’s Latest ‘Stroke’ Claim Runs Into One Big Problem

Despite Trump Pledge, Taxpayer Money Is Still Funding Leftist Scientists’ Puberty Blocker Study

News

California

Mask Mandate

Politics

Religion

Religious Liberty

San Jose

A video goes viral showing a baby being refused his mother by two gay "dads". This is just the tip of the iceberg, which is why we will have an important discussion today about surrogacy. 

Hour 1

The Matt Walsh Show

Ep. 1765 - This Video Is One Of The Worst Things I've Seen In A Long Time 

The Strait of Hormuz officially opens for business (kind of), the Pope makes “shocking” comments on immigration, and President Trump promises UFO disclosure at TPUSA. 


The Michael Knowles Show

Ep. 1956 -  Pope Leo's "SHOCKING" Immigration Comments EXPLAINED

A false miscreed has corrupted our leadership class.


The Andrew Klavan Show

Ep. 1275 - Dumb, Dumber and Progressive

President Trump announces a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a murder-suicide involving former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax shakes Virginia, and France and Britain hold a conference to secure the Strait of Hormuz – after the Iranian conflict ends. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.

- - -

Ep. 2738

- - -

Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3

- - -

Today's Sponsors:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text 'WIRE' to 83848 to learn more.

Pocket Hose - Text MORNING to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.

Morning Wire

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26 [Member Exclusive]

A ceasefire goes into effect between Israel and Lebanon, a tragic murder-suicide rocks Virginia, and Dairy Queen deploys AI in the drive-thru. Get the facts first with Evening Wire.
- - -
Ep. 2737
- - -
Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3 
- - -
Today’s Sponsor:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text “WIRE” to 83848 to learn more.


Evening Wire: Lebanon Ceasefire Begins & Murder-Suicide Rocks VA | 4.16.26

The Pendragon Cycle

Menu

— News —

‘Alarming’: Lawyer For California Church Responds After Million Dollar COVID Fine Handed Down