by Jorge Gomez • 2 minutes
On Tuesday, First Liberty filed a federal lawsuit against violent agitators affiliated with Code Pink who disrupted multiple worship services in Southern California.
We’re representing The Mission Church in Carlsbad and the Christian & Jewish Alliance, an interfaith organization in the San Diego area. Both have suffered ongoing harassment as they seek to bring churches and synagogues together for worship and prayer.
The Mission Church believes Christians should support Jewish neighbors and the nation of Israel. In March, the church hosted former Israeli Congress member Dr. Einat Wilf, with many Jewish guests and church members in attendance. Posing as guests, disruptors infiltrated the sanctuary, yelling slurs until they were escorted out. More protestors lined up inches outside the door, calling church members “Nazis” and yelling, “Mission Church, you can’t hide! We charge you with genocide!”
On Easter Sunday, the same disruptors shouted vulgarities through a bullhorn and held bloody signs with pictures of dismembered babies, directly across from where children were playing and enjoying Easter activities in the parking lot.
In September, the same agitators blocked entrances and blared loud sirens for three hours at an interfaith worship event hosted by the Christian & Jewish Alliance. They hit worshippers’ cars, called them “baby-killers,” pushed a Jewish guest into a busy street, and refused to leave even after the police arrived. At least three of the named defendants are local leaders for Code Pink San Diego, a group known for its antisemitism.
“When I pulled up to a worship event on September 7, a masked person holding a vulgar sign jumped onto the hood of our car, screaming and banging on the windshield. It was frightening,” said Ruth Mastron, a devout Jewish worshiper who joined the lawsuit. “We just want to be able to gather safely, pray and worship together without fearing for our lives.”
“No church or synagogue should experience such vulgar harassment for simply conducting its religious activities,” said Jeremy Dys, Senior Counsel for First Liberty. “Blocking entrances and exits while intimidating worshippers with incessant shouting, vulgarities and sirens violates the law.”
We’re bringing our lawsuit under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (“FACE”) Act, a federal law that protects places of worship and individual worshipers from the aggression carried out by this hostile group. That law makes it clear that anyone who uses intimidation, interference, or obstruction of religious exercise as a means to advance their disagreement will be held accountable, which can include criminal and civil penalties.
Terrorizing houses of worship and religious communities betrays our founding principles. Harassment against faith-based groups is appalling, and everyone who cherishes freedom and civility should reject such behavior. As a nation established on the promise of religious freedom, America is a place where people of all faiths should be free to worship peacefully.
In the face of increased hostility, one thing is clear: we need religious liberty more than ever. Protecting our First Freedom is the only way America can continue to shine as a beacon of hope and liberty.
Every American should be free to attend the worship service of their choice without fear of violence, disruption or threats. Will you donate to First Liberty today and help us keep leading the fight to protect our God-given rights?
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