ST. PAUL – State Representative Jeff Backer, R-Browns Valley, joined a lawsuit filed in the United States District Court of Minnesota on Thursday that argues Gov. Tim Walz’s executive orders are violating religious liberties by limiting capacity, requiring 6’ social distancing, and requiring face masks at religious services. Other plaintiffs include three Minnesota churches — Cornerstone Church of Alexandria, Land of Promise Church in Buffalo and Lifespring Church in Crosby, as well as three pastors and two churchgoers.
“Americans’ right to freely exercise religion without interference from the government is something that must be vigorously defended whenever it is threatened,” said Rep. Backer. “If a place of worship wants to require face coverings to be worn by parishioners, then that is a decision that should be left up to religious institutions on a case-by-case basis. It’s time for Governor Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison to leave Minnesota’s churches, synagogues, and mosques alone and let religious leaders and their parishioners decide what’s best for them.”
To date, other states, including Texas, Illinois, and Ohio have excluded churches from COVID-19 mask mandates. The complaint asks the court to declare Minnesota’s combination of executive orders regarding social distancing and mask wearing at churches to be unconstitutional under the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution.
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