Pastor arrested for violating rules amid virus outbreak
Source: AP
By TAMARA LUSH and CHRIS O'MEARA
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) Florida officials have arrested the pastor of a megachurch after detectives say he held two Sunday services with hundreds of people and violated a safer-at-home order in place to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
According to jail records, Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne turned himself in to authorities Monday afternoon in Hernando County, where he lives. He was charged with unlawful assembly and violation of a public health emergency order. Bail was set at $500, according to the jails website, and he was released after posting bond.
Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a news conference Monday that he negotiated with the attorney of Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne to turn himself in to authorities in Hernando County. His church is located in Tampa.
Not only did the church comply with the administrative order regarding six-foot distancing, it went above and beyond any other business to ensure the health and safety of the people, said a statement from Liberty Counsel, Howard-Brownes law firm. Contrary to Sheriff Chronisters allegation that Pastor Howard-Browne was reckless, the actions of Hillsborough Country and the Hernando County Sheriff are discriminatory against religion and church gatherings.
This Monday, March 30, 2020, booking photo provided by the Hernando County Jail shows Rodney Howard-Browne, pastor of The River Church. Florida officials arrested the pastor of the megachurch after detectives say he held two Sunday services with hundreds of people and violated a safer-at-home order in place to limit the spread of the coronavirus. According to jail records, Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne turned himself in to authorities Monday, March 30, 2020, in Hernando County, Fla. (Hernando County Jail via AP)
Read more: https://apnews.com/6c8068e57e6d7fe80445f9f04bbd65ff
Watchfoxheadexplodes
(3,496 posts)Tommorow
2naSalit
(86,742 posts)All the other idiots with a following of that sort should also be arrested.
BigmanPigman
(51,622 posts)will he receive?
LiberalFighter
(51,020 posts)Zorro
(15,748 posts)It helps cover his property tax.
Lars39
(26,110 posts)Pretty ummmm...big, isn't it?
reACTIONary
(5,771 posts)ProfessorGAC
(65,134 posts)In an earlier thread, I said they would do the 1st amendment religion & assembly thing.
The statement from Liberty Law was exactly what I anticipated.
BTW: Liberty Counsel is a nonprofit that pursues cases regarding religious freedom.
flibbitygiblets
(7,220 posts)who gets sick enough to require medical care.
That'll get through their thick skulls.
turbinetree
(24,710 posts)..........................
PADemD
(4,482 posts)Revealed: Chorister super-spreader passed the virus to 45 out of 60 people at a Washington singing practice - as medics say the transmission was AIRBORNE because they had all been social-distancing
A chorister super-spreader passed coronavirus to 45 out of 60 people at a singing practice - as medics say the transmission was airborne because they had all been social distancing.
On March 10, 60 members of the Skagit Valley Chorale attended a scheduled practice at Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church in Washington.
When they arrived, the singers were offered hand sanitizer at the door. Members also refrained from the usual hugs and handshakes as they met each other.
The practice lasted two and a half hours and the members of the church then went their separate ways.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8167369/amp/Chorister-super-spreader-passed-virus-45-60-people-Washington-singing-practice.html
lonely bird
(1,687 posts)Another so-called man of God whining that the church (read: conservative Pharisees) are persecuted.
dlk
(11,574 posts)Hard to imagine him preaching peace and love for your neighbor.
bfjd4u
(13 posts)they always cry "discrimination!" the poor gun owners are sooooo defenseless--just like the religious people, who have their "god" to protect them from the rest of us heathen scumbags.
davsand
(13,421 posts)They are participating. EVERY damn one of these freaks presents a danger to the community.
Laura
Massacure
(7,525 posts)Bail comes with a set of rules, and while rules vary from judge to judge and jurisdiction to jurisdiction, obeying all laws is pretty much universal.
not_the_one
(2,227 posts)Liberty University set the tone.
This will be spun as "We are attacking their religion".
They are just doing what the turd has suggested. They do everything but give a nazi salute.
Sherman A1
(38,958 posts)DumbA**.....