Of the roughly 32 lawsuits that have been filed since March against California Gov. Gavin Newsom, many allege his executive orders violate the religious liberty clauses of the California Constitution. Twenty-two active cases address religious freedom violations, education policies, forced closures of businesses, alleged violations of federal and state laws, and grievances by landlords. At least 10 of the 32 have been dropped or ruled on; some of the 22 active cases have been amended since their initial filing. Some of the most prominent cases are playing out in the Fifth, Sixth, Seventh and Ninth Circuit Appeals Courts. Two of the first, and pending, religious freedom cases were filed in April. Gish v Newsom, and San Diego-based Abiding Place Ministries v Newsom, allege that his orders violate the provisions of the state constitution that protect freedom of speech, freedom of religion, the right to assemble, and due process. South Bay United Pentecostal Church sued Newsom May 8 after the governor announced his Phase 2 reopening plan (which has since been changed). Joining South Bay was the Chabad of Carmel Valley synagogue in San Diego. The plaintiffs claim the revised order restricted their congregation’s rights to free exercise of religion, […]
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