In a surprising turn of events, a liberal college town has announced a settlement of $300,000 for a group of Christians who were arrested for holding an outdoor church service without wearing masks during the pandemic. The city of Moscow, Idaho, home to the University of Idaho, recently settled the civil lawsuit filed by three churchgoers with Christ Church. The incident, which occurred in September 2020, garnered significant attention when footage of the arrests went viral on social media.
The Incident and Lawsuit
- Arrests at the Outdoor “Psalm Sing”
- In September 2020, three churchgoers from Christ Church were arrested in Moscow, Idaho, during an outdoor “psalm sing” held outside Moscow City Hall. The event lasted approximately 20 minutes.
- Gabriel Rench and Sean and Rachel Bohnet, the individuals who filed the lawsuit, claimed that their First and Fourth Amendment rights were violated.
- The arrests were captured on video and quickly gained widespread attention on social media platforms.
- Legal Proceedings and Dismissal of Charges
- The three individuals were initially charged with violating the city’s public health emergency ordinance.
- However, a judge later dismissed the case, emphasizing that the city’s pandemic ordinance contained exceptions for constitutionally protected activities, including religious services.
- The judge criticized city officials for disregarding the exclusionary language in the ordinance.
Political and Public Reactions
- Support from Former President Donald Trump
- Then-president Donald Trump condemned the arrests, expressing his belief that Democrats aimed to permanently shut down churches.
- Trump’s tweet drew attention to the incident and highlighted the political implications surrounding religious freedom during the pandemic.
- Perspectives of the Arrested Churchgoers
- Gabriel Rench, one of the individuals arrested, accused the city of Moscow of defying the law and targeting Christians.
- Rench believed that the government, along with certain political groups, had started to specifically focus on Christians in a way unprecedented in America and Canada.
The Settlement and Its Implications
- Settlement Announcement
- The city of Moscow, Idaho, announced a settlement in the civil lawsuit filed by the arrested churchgoers.
- The settlement amount of $300,000 will be paid by the city’s liability insurance provider.
- As part of the agreement, all claims against the city and the named city employees will be dismissed with prejudice, ensuring a release of all liability.
- Closure and Resolution
- The settlement is seen as a means to bring closure to a matter related to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The city emphasized its efforts to protect the public during an exceptionally trying time.
Conclusion
The case of Christians arrested for a maskless outdoor church service in Moscow, Idaho, has come to a surprising resolution with a $300,000 settlement. The incident, which gained significant attention due to viral videos and political commentary, highlighted the delicate balance between public health concerns and constitutional rights. While the settlement brings closure to the matter, it also raises important questions about the extent of government power during times of crisis and the protection of religious freedoms. As the world continues to navigate the challenges brought about by the pandemic, this case serves as a reminder of the ongoing debates surrounding these complex issues.