Democrat Gov. John Bel Edwards violated Pastor Tony Spell’s freedom of religion by instituting COVID-19 restrictions that forbade him from holding in-person church services, the Louisiana Supreme Court ruled May 13.
The Shreveport Times reports that Spell defied Edwards’ March 2020 limitation of in-person gatherings to ten people, for which he was subjected to criminal charges. While lower courts ruled against Spell, the state’s highest court determined that “certain provisions of two executive orders, as applied to defendant, violate his fundamental right to exercise religion, do not survive strict scrutiny, and are thus unconstitutional…”
“Once again, this governor’s overreach has been defeated in court,” said Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry. “While it is unfortunate that it took almost two years, I am appreciative that John Bel’s unconstitutional actions have been halted by the court. This is a victory for the separation of powers and our free exercise clause. What’s more: it is a great highlight of John Bel’s hypocrisy – punishing prayer service but not food service at a mall.” Read more…