On the eve of Easter, Governor Lujan Grisham suddenly issued an executive order that banned churches and places of worship from mass gatherings. This action comes despite the governor’s earlier decision to exempt places of worship from social distancing. Churches across the state had agreed to hold services via the internet in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19.
To arbitrarily issue this order to churches hours before Easter is offensive to worshippers. The U.S. Attorney General is now monitoring such government regulation of religious services.
“While health and safety is most important during this unprecedented time, and social distancing is a part of that, religious organizations must not be targeted. Religious freedom is vital to our society, and the governor is going beyond her boundaries here,” said Republican Party of New Mexico Chairman Steve Pearce.
