US says California order discriminates against churches

ROBERT JABLON

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) - The head of the federal Justice Department's Civil Rights Division told Gov. Gavin Newsom Tuesday that his plan to reopen California discriminates against churches.

In a letter to the governor, Eric S. Dreiband said that despite a coronavirus pandemic "that is unprecedented in our lifetimes," Newsom should allow some in-person worship under the current second phase of his four-part reopening plan.

Restaurants and other secular businesses are being allowed to reopen under social distancing guidelines but not churches, which are limited to online...