NV governor’s new COVID-19 guidance still treats churches worse than casinos

The following quote may be attributed to Alliance Defending Freedom Senior Counsel and Vice President of U.S. Litigation David Cortman regarding Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak’s new guidance that allows churches to hold gatherings of 250 people or 50% capacity, whichever is less, while still allowing casinos to operate at 50% capacity without a hard cap on the number of casino goers:

“The First Amendment requires churches not be treated like second-class citizens. Even with the governor’s new order allowing churches to gather in greater numbers, the problem remains: There is still a hard cap on churches at 250 people. Casino patrons can still stream into Nevada’s gambling establishments at 50 percent capacity without the hard cap imposed on churches. The governor should adjust his policies to comply with the Constitution. There is no constitutional right to gamble, but there is one that protects religious Americans. We look forward to the day when, by the governor’s order or a court order, church gatherings are, at a minimum, treated equally to other gatherings.”

ADF attorneys represent a Nevada church in Calvary Chapel Dayton Valley v. Sisolak, which challenges the governor’s unconstitutional treatment of churches. The case is currently pending before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit.

Alliance Defending Freedom is an alliance-building, non-profit legal organization that advocates for the right of people to freely live out their faith.

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