ADVOCATES FOR FAITH & FREEDOM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21 2025
CONTACT: NICOLE VELASCO
media@FAITH-FREEDOM.COM
San Jose, CA – In a landmark victory for religious freedom and parental rights, Calvary Chapel of San Jose (CCSJ) and Calvary Christian Academy (CCA) have been cleared of every citation originally brought by the California Division of Occupational Safety & Health (Cal/OSHA). The final Order by the California Occupational Safety & Health Appeals Board (OSHAB) affirms:
Every citation issued–totaling 15 items and originally carrying $67,330 in penalties–was withdrawn by the Division.
Final penalties: $0.
No finding of wrongdoing. The church and school admitted no fault whatsoever, and this resolution cannot be used against them in any future matter.
This victory comes after a protracted campaign of relentless government over-reach. In late 2020 and early 2021, Cal/OSHA leveraged a search warrant—based on what courts later called an affidavit “utterly devoid of detail”—to inspect the Academy after mask-related complaints. That warrant was challenged by the legal team at Advocates for Faith & Freedom, which exposed the agency’s failure to follow due-process, properly verify allegations, or respect constitutional protections.
“This is a complete victory, not only for Calvary Christian Academy, but for every church and Christian school in California,” said Joel Oster, Vice President and Chief of Trial Litigation for Advocates for Faith & Freedom. “The State tried to use OSHA as a weapon to intimidate a religious institution. They failed. And they were forced to walk away from their own claims.”
Attorney Nicolai Cocis added: “We commend the court for upholding the constitutional rights of Calvary Chapel San Jose and Calvary Christian Academy. This ruling underscores the importance of due process and the protection of religious freedoms against unwarranted governmental overreach.”
This outcome carries significant implications. Religious liberty is strengthened, demonstrating that faith-based institutions cannot be intimidated by bureaucratic pressure disguised as public-health enforcement. Parental rights are protected, as the case began with mask mandates being weaponized against children and churches, yet the resolution makes clear that government cannot trample constitutional protections under the guise of regulation. Finally, an important precedent is reinforced: government agencies must follow the law, adhere to due process, and cannot rely on thin affidavits, unchecked authority, or discriminatory targeting of religious communities.
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Advocates for Faith & Freedom is a non-profit law firm dedicated to protecting constitutional and religious liberty in the courts. Our mission is to engage in cases that will uphold our religious liberty and America’s heritage and to educate Americans about our fundamental constitutional rights.