Federal Judge Rules in Favor of Church in First Amendment Lawsuit

A federal judge ruled in favor of St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in a key First Amendment lawsuit against the city of Brookings, Oregon. The city had attempted to shut down the church's homeless meal service by passing an ordinance that restricted the number of days the church could serve free meals. The judge found the ordinance to be a violation of the church's religious freedom rights. The church had increased its meal services to six per week in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent closures of businesses, drawing complaints from residents. While the ruling keeps the meal service in place, the city and the church are engaged in other legal battles, including the city's request for the church to stop shower and advocacy services.