Press Release

Tyler Law, LLP | Advocates for Faith & Freedom

April 16, 2020 | For Immediate Release

Contact: Desaré Ferraro at 714-348-0808 or [email protected]

Demand Letter Sent to Riverside County Board of Supervisors on Behalf of Pastor for Immediate Rescission of Riverside County Health Officer Order  

Riverside County, CA, April 16, 2020 – A demand letter was sent on behalf of Pastor Tim Thompson and 412 Church, Murrieta, CA, to Riverside County Supervisors and their Health Officer to immediately act to rescind the April 6, 2020 Amended Order stating that all public or private gatherings of two or more people are prohibited regardless of the size of the venue or gathering.

The County’s Order, linked HERE, is overbroad because it makes no exceptions for religious institutions taking extensive protective measures, such as drive-in services in which participants remain isolated in their cars, or in-person services in which participants practice CDC guidelines and are separated by more than six feet. Instead, the County instituted restrictions, banning religious worshippers from gathering at all, and this ban will be in place for an indefinite period.

In addition to being overbroad, the Order is also under-inclusive because multiple people can gather at, in, and around a liquor store, ice-cream shop, grocery store, post office, carry-out restaurant, bed and breakfast, but not in or around a church. Why is it impermissible for a church to hold a drive-in service complying with all CDC and County guidelines while a grocery store, hardware store, or liquor store can have large amount of people in the same location? This reflects upon the arbitrary nature of determining what businesses are “essential.”

From the letter of demand: 

“Pastor Tim Thompson intends to hold drive-in style church services in the parking lot of 412 Church in a manner that respects the current social distancing restrictions and the health and safety of the community…. However, he will not cease gathering together because members of 412 Church hold a sincere religious belief that the Bible calls them to gather in the same physical location for worship. The County’s Order places attendees of 412 Church in the difficult position of abiding by the Order or violating their religious beliefs.”

Pastor Tim Thompson, 412 Church, and Tyler Law LLP would like to acknowledge the significant efforts the County has made to protect the health and safety and best interests of its residents when they implemented the current coronavirus restrictions. However, the Order does not impose the least restrictive means to advance the County’s interest in preventing the spread of coronavirus.

As explained in the full demand letter linked HERE, the Health Officer Order violates the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Person’s Act and the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.

Accordingly, Tyler Law, LLP asks that the County immediately rescind the unlawful portions of the Order and notify our office and the public of the rescission by 5:00 p.m. on April 18, 2020. If the County fails to do so, they are prepared to file a lawsuit and seek immediate injunctive relief.

Tyler Law attorney, Robert Tyler is available for additional comments and interviews by contacting Desaré Ferraro at [email protected] or 714-348-0808.