Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Cornerstone Church Will Join Lawsuit Challenging Newsom's Rules
TLBBHMAP3-U010ALB5ANM-348f959abae2-512-300x300-1
By Jim Jakobs, Digital Producer
Published 5 years ago on
May 27, 2020

Share

Pastor Jim Franklin will open Cornerstone Church this Sunday.

“Our theater seats 1,400 people but we are only allowed to have 100 people. That is approximately 7%. No other business is being placed under these restrictions.” — Jim Franklin, senior pastor, Cornerstone Church

That’s not the only door he’ll open. Franklin says Gov. Gavin Newsom and other leaders have opened the door for a lawsuit.

“Our theater seats 1,400 people but we are only allowed to have 100 people. That is approximately 7%,” says Franklin. “No other business is being placed under these restrictions.”

This Sunday, Franklin plans to operate at 25% of capacity. He’s upset he can’t operate at 50%, which he says is the standard for other businesses.

“The governor of California is still violating the civil rights of churches,” says Franklin.

Eastern District Federal Court Lawsuit

On Monday, the state released a framework that permits counties to allow in-person worship services as COVID-19 restrictions ease. They include limiting worshipers to 100 or less, taking everyone’s temperature, limiting singing and group recitations, and not sharing prayer books or other items.

Franklin says Cornerstone Church church will join a lawsuit in California’s Eastern District Federal Court. Cornerstone Church will be represented by Advocates for Faith & Freedom, Tyler & Bursch, and The National Center for Law and Policy.

“We will be seeking action against the county of Fresno health director, the state of California health director and the governor of California,” says Franklin. “We expect to have our claims joined with the lawsuit filed by Cross Culture Christian Church from Lodi, California.

“It is my belief by keeping the church doors closed that we are denying them a vital part of their religious freedom, the ability to gather together.”

Image of Pastor Jim Franklin of Cornerstone Church in Fresno, California
Jim Franklin, the senior pastor at Cornerstone Church, says the church will join a federal lawsuit challenging Gov. Newsom’s pandemic restrictions on religious services. (YouTube)

Fresno County Board of Supervisors

The Fresno County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 on Tuesday to approve the governor’s guidelines for religious services announced Monday.

Nathan Magsig and Brian Pacheco joined board chair Buddy Mendes in casting yes votes, while Steve Brandau and Sal Quintero voted no.

Mendes told GV Wire that the county needed to approve the guidelines so that churches could legally open again.

Afterward, Brandau posted a video message on social media explaining his no vote.

“I’m glad that churches are going to reopen,” said Brandau. “But this is complete junk what the governor is demanding on the process for churches. It needs to be right in line with what everybody else is doing.”

Fresno County Health Department Guidance

The Fresno County Health Department has a guidance document for conducting religious services on its website.

Here is the full document:



LetterCOVID19FaithBasedGui (Text)

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Fresno State’s Ag College Is Growing. A New Corporate Sponsor Will Help Them

DON'T MISS

Trump Compares Russia and Ukraine to Children Fighting

DON'T MISS

Trump Administration Imposes Sanctions on Four ICC Judges in Unprecedented Move

DON'T MISS

SpaceX Will Decommission Dragon Spacecraft, Musk Says as Feud With Trump Escalates

DON'T MISS

Erika Sandoval Gets Life Sentence in Notorious Tulare County Murder

DON'T MISS

Israeli Military Strikes Beirut’s Southern Suburbs

DON'T MISS

We Are Being Governed by the Trump Organization Inc.

DON'T MISS

Wondrous Webster Has the Makings of a Wonderful Family Member

DON'T MISS

Trump Threatens Musk’s Government Deals as Feud Explodes Over Tax-Cut Bill

DON'T MISS

Fresno Police Want Your Tips to Solve Taylor Washington Homicide

UP NEXT

Wondrous Webster Has the Makings of a Wonderful Family Member

UP NEXT

Trump Threatens Musk’s Government Deals as Feud Explodes Over Tax-Cut Bill

UP NEXT

Fresno Police Want Your Tips to Solve Taylor Washington Homicide

UP NEXT

Derek Carr Explains Mysterious Retirement. He Didn’t Want to ‘Just Take the Saints’ Money’

UP NEXT

Were Cuts in Rooftop Solar Payments Legal? CA Supreme Court Hears Arguments

UP NEXT

Fresno Rainbow Pride Marks 35th Year with Saturday Parade and Festival

UP NEXT

New CA Bill Would Streamline Solar Conversion for Dry Farmland

UP NEXT

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Fermin Solorzano

UP NEXT

Kings River Conservancy Names New Leader, Plans to Expand Public Access

UP NEXT

Sunnyvale Pitmaster Smokes Fresno BBQ Competition for Golden Ticket to World Championships

SpaceX Will Decommission Dragon Spacecraft, Musk Says as Feud With Trump Escalates

13 hours ago

Erika Sandoval Gets Life Sentence in Notorious Tulare County Murder

13 hours ago

Israeli Military Strikes Beirut’s Southern Suburbs

14 hours ago

We Are Being Governed by the Trump Organization Inc.

14 hours ago

Wondrous Webster Has the Makings of a Wonderful Family Member

14 hours ago

Trump Threatens Musk’s Government Deals as Feud Explodes Over Tax-Cut Bill

14 hours ago

Fresno Police Want Your Tips to Solve Taylor Washington Homicide

16 hours ago

Derek Carr Explains Mysterious Retirement. He Didn’t Want to ‘Just Take the Saints’ Money’

17 hours ago

What Do Valley Leaders Say About Trump’s Threat to Yank High-Speed Rail Funding?

17 hours ago

Were Cuts in Rooftop Solar Payments Legal? CA Supreme Court Hears Arguments

18 hours ago

Fresno State’s Ag College Is Growing. A New Corporate Sponsor Will Help Them

The nonprofit supporting Fresno State’s ag specialty college unveiled its first corporate sponsor Thursday supporting students and tea...

12 hours ago

12 hours ago

Fresno State’s Ag College Is Growing. A New Corporate Sponsor Will Help Them

13 hours ago

Trump Compares Russia and Ukraine to Children Fighting

13 hours ago

Trump Administration Imposes Sanctions on Four ICC Judges in Unprecedented Move

13 hours ago

SpaceX Will Decommission Dragon Spacecraft, Musk Says as Feud With Trump Escalates

13 hours ago

Erika Sandoval Gets Life Sentence in Notorious Tulare County Murder

14 hours ago

Israeli Military Strikes Beirut’s Southern Suburbs

14 hours ago

We Are Being Governed by the Trump Organization Inc.

Webster, GV Wire's Adoptable Pet of the Week, June 5, 2025
14 hours ago

Wondrous Webster Has the Makings of a Wonderful Family Member

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend