Mississippi mayor cancels fines to churchgoers as DOJ intervenes in coronavirus dispute

Just the News ^ | April 14, 2020 - 9:47pm | By Alex Nitzberg

[Hojczyk]

The Justice Department on Tuesday filed a statement of interest supporting a Greenville, Mississippi, church where some people recently received $500 tickets at a drive-in style service at which they listened to the sermon on their car radios with their windows rolled up amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Attorney General William Barr emphasized in the statement that social distancing practices are important during the health crisis and that while some temporary restrictions on liberties are constitutional when applied even-handedly, but religious institutions cannot be singled-out.

"The City of Greenville fined congregants $500 per person for attending these parking lot services – while permitting citizens to attend nearby drive-in restaurants, even with their windows open," Barr wrote. "The City appears to have thereby singled churches out as the only essential service (as designated by the state of Mississippi) that may not operate despite following all [Centers for Disease Control] and state recommendations regarding social distancing."

Greenville Mayor Errick Simmons said on Monday that those issued citations will not have to pay the fines.

The religious liberty controversy comes as restrictions are placed on activities across the country amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The city of Greenville issued an order on April 7 that barred drive-in church services. The fines were given to people at Temple Baptist Church on April 8. "Only those members who refused to leave were issued citations," the mayor said.

The mayor also said Monday that the order will remain in place, though he wants "definitive guidance on drive-in and parking lot services" from the state's governor considering both CDC guidelines and the state's shelter-in-place order.

[gibsonguy]

“Only those members who refused to leave were issued citations,” the mayor said.

Oh OK then /s

[DarthVader]

First issue for DOJ to deal with. Several more to go.

[Hojczyk]

Maybe Attorney General William Barr will save us from this insanity

Disney World in Florida will never open this year ...

Place your bets Yes No

[hardspunned]

Ramadan starts in 8 days. This won’t be an issue in 8 days.

[Born to Conserve]

The city should have to pay the people they scared away $500.

[Ann Archy]

He;s Black....I am shocked!

[Born to Conserve]

“Ramadan starts in 8 days. This won’t be an issue in 8 days.”

I encourage all moslums to gather in large numbers.

[dfwgator]

Blacks in the Deep South at one time were much more religious than Whites.

The culture wars changed all that.

[Alberta's Child]

The mayor also said Monday that the order will remain in place, though he wants "definitive guidance on drive-in and parking lot services" from the state's governor considering both CDC guidelines and the state's shelter-in-place order.

He doesn't need any "definitive guidance" on this. The DOJ -- and Federal courts -- have been clear on matters like this. If a shutdown order under emergency conditions forces the closure of religious institutions while allowing similar non-religious establishments (like grocery stores and liquor stores) to operate, then it is a clear violation of the First Amendment.

If EVERY establishment is forced to close, then the grounds for a First Amendment violation are less solid.

[Herodes]

If mayors allow Muslims to gather in Mosque’s when Ramadan begins, all hell will break loose.

[iontheball]

Liberal running scared from Barr’s big stick.

[xzins]

those issued citations will not have to pay the fines.

I want the record expunged also.

[laplata]

“I encourage all moslums to gather in large numbers”.

Yep, pack ‘em in.

[vpintheak]

Thank God for a Trump administration.

[zadox]

weird as it may sound, it may be the Muslims who cause a breaking of this absurd de facto police state.

[ARW]

I vote, no. But only because libs are unpredictable in their zaniness.

[bert]

Irrelevant Anecdotal info......

While traveling south on the Great River Road, we were attracted to Greenville Mississippi claims of the best tamales on earth. Part of the joy of traveling the Great River Road is sampling and experiencing the local and regional cuisine.

The claim of best tamales had to be validated. The best place was verified in Trip Adviser. It was located on the Greenville main drag.

When we got there we couldn't get in. What appeared to be the entrance was blocked by a very large black man. We could see inside...... lots of seated black people. He directed us to another door. It too was locked

We went around to the side to the drive in window and the host came and let us in. He said there was a wedding reception in his party room and his staff were all there. The man at the door was actually a guard to prevent unwanted guests. But I digress.

We ordered the best tamales in the world. He came and sat with us explaining to the hungary travelers that he had been serving tamales for thirty years. Others in town began serving them and pretty soon Greenville had a reputation for tamales. He was not the least bit modest in explaining that his were best, and first, an responsible for the rest.

They were in fact the best tamales I ever tasted

The Great River Road is a series of well marked hiways starting at Lake Itaska Minnesota, the very head water, to Venice Louisiana the end of the road at the Gulf of Mexico. It follows the Mississippi River through the very heartland of America. It is flyover country. There is very little driving on interstates mostly through the big cities.

There are tons of small towns right on the river to which they owe their existence. The towns reflect intense ethnic European diversity in the amazing and delicious variety of their food offerings. Down South, Black food offerings are available.

I recommend doing your self a great favor and making this great road trip. You will experience America at it's very essence.

[Bommer]

Guess their Macon county speed traps weren’t bringing the revenue! Start fining Christians!

[mdmathis6]

Muslims are smart....they might issue fatwas that say do Ramadan in their homes...as a way of exposing Christians to public scrutiny.