May Newsletter

In response to COVID-19, on July 14, 2020, the Orange County Health Officer enacted the “Amended Orders and Strong Recommendation of the County of Orange Health Officers.” The Order stated that indoor operations for worship services were prohibited but outdoor operations were allowed.

Pastor Parker Green of Salt Church had planned to host a religious gathering at Huntington Beach in the summer of 2020. Due to the prohibition of indoor gatherings because of COVID, only outdoor services were allowed.

On July 24, 2020, Mr. Green, hosted an outdoor community worship and baptism service. The religious service was intended to be conducted at a time and place where people could worship God, outdoor on the beach, and receive baptisms in the Pacific Ocean.

Later that same day, the Huntington Beach Police Department issued Mr. Green a citation for hosting the event. The citation amounted to a misdemeanor and ordered Mr. Green to appear before the Court for violating the Huntington Beach Municipal Code (HBMC) by holding a “large scale event.”

Advocates defended Mr. Green against the criminal complaint on the grounds that “the facts stated do not constitute a public offense”, that Mr. Green did not violate the Huntington Beach Municipal Code because his service did not meet the definition of a specific event, and that the Municipal Code is unconstitutionally vague and overbroad.

On May 4, 2021, the Huntington Beach City Attorney dismissed the criminal case against Mr. Green considering the facts provided in our filing.

To fight that kind of attack on religious freedom, it takes advocates like you! That is why I am so glad to share this victory with you and let you know that your support is what enables us to act upon situations like Mr. Green’s.

Through God’s blessing and the support of friends like you, Advocates for Faith & Freedom will respond to unconstitutional and anti-freedom actions by those who seek to destroy religion in our country. When the government violates your First Amendment freedoms protected by the Constitution, we will meet them in court.