Florida pastor Rodney Howard-Browne was arrested Monday on charges of unlawful assembly, one day after his church held services in violation of a new county order prohibiting gatherings larger than 10 people.
Howard-Browne, pastor of the River at Tampa Bay Church, was released after posting a $500 bond. Hillsborough County issued a stay-at-home order last week, saying in its order COVID-19 is causing “widespread infection and loss of life” and is not slowing in Florida.
“Our goal here is not to stop anyone from worshipping, but the safety and well-being of our community must always come first,” Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister said at a press conference, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
State attorney Andrew Warren quoted Scripture in defending the county’s action.
“I’d remind the good pastor of Mark 12:31, which said there’s no more important commandment than to love thy neighbor as thyself,” Warren said. “Loving your neighbors is protecting them, not jeopardizing their health by exposing them to this deadly virus.”
Liberty Counsel is representing Howard-Browne and says the county’s order targets religious groups and has multiple exemptions.
All total, the order includes 42 exceptions for those who are not required to stay at home. At the end of the list of 42 exceptions, the order says “businesses which are not described” in the…
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