Trump DOJ backs SC church banned from using town's civic center for worship services
The Department of Justice on Tuesday issued its support for a South Carolina Baptist church that's suing Edisto Beach after the town banned worship services from being held at its civic center.
On behalf of Redeemer Fellowship of Edisto Island, the Justice Department submitted a statement of interest to a federal court in Charleston supporting the church’s argument that the town’s new policy violates its First Amendment rights.
Although Edisto Beach opens up its civic center for rentals by private groups, the town changed its facility use guidelines in May to prohibit rentals “for the purpose of religious worship services.”
Redeemer Fellowship had rented the facility twice previously. When the church applied to rent the facility for a third time, the town council voted to reject the application....
