Los Angeles County Department of Public Works has terminated a 45-year-old lease agreement with Grace Community Church (GCC) for the use of a large portion of their parking lot, likely as a retaliatory measure for the highly publicized battle between the church and the county over the right of GCC to gather for Sunday services and violate California shutdown orders by singing in church.
The church, which had been paying nearly $100,000 a year to use the parking lot in an agreement that has been in place since 1975, was handed an eviction notice which read in part:
“If Grace fails to vacate the premise as required, the District may enter the premises and remove Grace’s personal property.”
If the eviction goes through, it would be a major blow to the church, which doesn’t have much access to parking near the church, as can be seen in this picture. The lot in question would be one of those two seen below.
John MacArthur and GCC’s lawyer, Special Counsel Jenna Ellis, said in a statement that they are pursuing all legal avenues.
“Los Angeles County is retaliating against Grace Community Church for simply exercising their constitutionally protected right to hold church and challenging an unreasonable, unlawful health order.
In America, we have a judicial system to ensure that the executive branch does not abuse its power, and Grace Community Church has every right to be heard without fear of reprisal. The Democrats’ message to Americans is clear–if you don’t bow to every whim of tyranny, the government will come after you.
The Church has peacefully held this lease for 45 years and the only reason the County is attempting eviction is because John MacArthur stood up to their unconstitutional power grab. This is harassment, abusive, and unconscionable.“
