Churches have felt put out by various city and state restrictions on assemblies during the coronavirus pandemic.
Similar organizations in some jurisdictions have been treated differently, resulting in First Amendment lawsuits.
But now, Virginia Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam is ramping up the pressure, according to a religious liberty advocate, providing a means for citizens to snitch on people who violate coronavirus rules, such as attending a "religious service" without a face covering.
Along with "religious service," the menu on the form provided online provides for complaints at a "grocery-convenience store," "restaurant," "brick and mortar retail," "winery-brewery," "indoor gun range," "personal grooming service" or "fitness and exercise."
"Gov. Ralph Northam has created a gestapo where residents are encouraged to report neighbors for exercising their First Amendment right to attend a worship service without fear of punishment," said Liberty Counsel Chairman Mat Staver. "The governor is trying to drop his heavy hand on churches with unconstitutional restrictions but supporting protests, demonstrations and riots. Encouraging people to snitch on churchgoers is reprehensible."
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