California County Targets Church’s Right to Public Beach: ACLJ Fights Back Against Religious Discrimination

March 10, 2025


The ACLJ has taken action in California to defend the constitutional rights of a church after Los Angeles County implemented a new policy that singles out religious groups for discriminatory treatment in the rules about the use of public beaches.

For 18 years, Church on the Beach has been faithfully serving its community by holding worship services on Redondo Beach with proper permits from Los Angeles County. Approximately 120 people gather every Sunday morning to worship in God’s creation, with many attendees specifically choosing this setting because they have had difficult or negative experiences in traditional church buildings. The beach location isn’t merely a preference – it’s a crucial component of their ministry’s outreach to those who might never step foot in a conventional church.

The church members have been model citizens, carefully ensuring their gatherings don’t obstruct pathways, block traffic, or impede emergency vehicles. They’ve even voluntarily relocated during large community events to avoid any potential disruptions.

The County’s Unconstitutional Policy​

In late October, Los Angeles County abruptly changed its policy, informing the church’s pastor that the Department of Beaches and Harbors would no longer issue yearly permits for religious activities. Instead, the County implemented a new discriminatory policy limiting “grandfathered” religious groups to just six activities per year, with the following restrictive stipulations:

• Only two religious activities would be allowed with waived permit fees ($250)
• The remaining four religious activities would require fees and be restricted to only specific locations (Dockweiler, Mothers Beach, Will Rogers T5)

The key fact: None of these rules apply to nonreligious groups. Even more concerning, a county official told the pastor that churches “don't need the beach” because they can “meet in a building” – a statement that demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of both religious freedom and the specific ministry of Church on the Beach. The County has thankfully issued a temporary permit so the church can continue to meet for a few months; but once that extension ends, the church will essentially be shut down because of this policy change. There’s no alternative location for Church on the Beach to meet.

Clear Violation of Constitutional Rights​

The ACLJ’s legal team immediately recognized this as a textbook case of religious discrimination. Public beaches, like parks, are traditional public forums where the government cannot restrict speech based on its content without meeting the highest legal standard of strict scrutiny.

As the Supreme Court has consistently ruled – including in ACLJ-argued cases like Lamb’s Chapel v. Center Moriches School District – the government cannot exclude religious viewpoints from public forums. When a government entity opens a space for public use, it cannot then discriminate against religious groups or religious speech in that space.

As the Supreme Court also stated in Perry Educ. Ass’n v. Perry Local Educators’ Ass’n, streets and parks “have immemorially been held in trust for the use of the public and, time out of mind, have been used for purposes of assembly, communicating thoughts between citizens, and discussing public questions. . . . In these quintessential public forums, the government may not prohibit all communicative activity.” A public beach is a type of public park and subject to the same rules; religious viewpoints cannot be targeted for discrimination.

The ACLJ Takes Action​

On March 6, the ACLJ sent a detailed demand letter to Los Angeles County, outlining the constitutional violations and demanding that the County immediately cease its discriminatory treatment of Church on the Beach.

Our letter made it clear that the County’s actions violate well-established First Amendment principles as articulated by the Supreme Court in cases like Widmar v. Vincent and Lamb’s Chapel. We’ve given the County until March 20, 2025, to provide assurances that this discriminatory policy will be ended and that churches will be free to use the beach under the same generally applicable rules as nonreligious gatherings.

Why This Matters​

This case represents yet another troubling example of government entities attempting to push religious expression out of the public square. The First Amendment does not merely tolerate religious speech in public forums – it protects it.

When government officials try to relegate faith to the four walls of a building, they fundamentally misunderstand both our Constitution and the nature of religious liberty. For many in the Church on the Beach congregation, the outdoor setting itself is an integral part of their worship experience, especially for those who have had negative experiences in traditional churches.

The ACLJ is committed to ensuring that the First Amendment rights of all Americans are protected, including the right to practice one’s faith in public spaces. We will continue to fight for Church on the Beach and all believers who face discrimination from government officials.

California County Targets Church’s Right to Public Beach: ACLJ Fights Back Against Religious Discrimination | American Center for Law and Justice

The ACLJ has taken action in California to defend the constitutional rights of a church after Los Angeles County implemented a new policy that singles out religious groups for discriminatory treatment in the rules about the use of public beaches. For 18 years, Church on the Beach has been . . .

aclj.org

 

[TCC]

March 10, 2025


The ACLJ has taken action in California to defend the constitutional rights of a church after Los Angeles County implemented a new policy that singles out religious groups for discriminatory treatment in the rules about the use of public beaches.

For 18 years, Church on the Beach has been faithfully serving its community by holding worship services on Redondo Beach with proper permits from Los Angeles County. Approximately 120 people gather every Sunday morning to worship in God’s creation, with many attendees specifically choosing this setting because they have had difficult or negative experiences in traditional church buildings. The beach location isn’t merely a preference – it’s a crucial component of their ministry’s outreach to those who might never step foot in a conventional church.

The church members have been model citizens, carefully ensuring their gatherings don’t obstruct pathways, block traffic, or impede emergency vehicles. They’ve even voluntarily relocated during large community events to avoid any potential disruptions.

The County’s Unconstitutional Policy​

In late October, Los Angeles County abruptly changed its policy, informing the church’s pastor that the Department of Beaches and Harbors would no longer issue yearly permits for religious activities. Instead, the County implemented a new discriminatory policy limiting “grandfathered” religious groups to just six activities per year, with the following restrictive stipulations:

• Only two religious activities would be allowed with waived permit fees ($250)
• The remaining four religious activities would require fees and be restricted to only specific locations (Dockweiler, Mothers Beach, Will Rogers T5)

The key fact: None of these rules apply to nonreligious groups. Even more concerning, a county official told the pastor that churches “don't need the beach” because they can “meet in a building” – a statement that demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of both religious freedom and the specific ministry of Church on the Beach. The County has thankfully issued a temporary permit so the church can continue to meet for a few months; but once that extension ends, the church will essentially be shut down because of this policy change. There’s no alternative location for Church on the Beach to meet.

Clear Violation of Constitutional Rights​

The ACLJ’s legal team immediately recognized this as a textbook case of religious discrimination. Public beaches, like parks, are traditional public forums where the government cannot restrict speech based on its content without meeting the highest legal standard of strict scrutiny.

As the Supreme Court has consistently ruled – including in ACLJ-argued cases like Lamb’s Chapel v. Center Moriches School District – the government cannot exclude religious viewpoints from public forums. When a government entity opens a space for public use, it cannot then discriminate against religious groups or religious speech in that space.

As the Supreme Court also stated in Perry Educ. Ass’n v. Perry Local Educators’ Ass’n, streets and parks “have immemorially been held in trust for the use of the public and, time out of mind, have been used for purposes of assembly, communicating thoughts between citizens, and discussing public questions. . . . In these quintessential public forums, the government may not prohibit all communicative activity.” A public beach is a type of public park and subject to the same rules; religious viewpoints cannot be targeted for discrimination.

The ACLJ Takes Action​

On March 6, the ACLJ sent a detailed demand letter to Los Angeles County, outlining the constitutional violations and demanding that the County immediately cease its discriminatory treatment of Church on the Beach.

Our letter made it clear that the County’s actions violate well-established First Amendment principles as articulated by the Supreme Court in cases like Widmar v. Vincent and Lamb’s Chapel. We’ve given the County until March 20, 2025, to provide assurances that this discriminatory policy will be ended and that churches will be free to use the beach under the same generally applicable rules as nonreligious gatherings.

Why This Matters​

This case represents yet another troubling example of government entities attempting to push religious expression out of the public square. The First Amendment does not merely tolerate religious speech in public forums – it protects it.

When government officials try to relegate faith to the four walls of a building, they fundamentally misunderstand both our Constitution and the nature of religious liberty. For many in the Church on the Beach congregation, the outdoor setting itself is an integral part of their worship experience, especially for those who have had negative experiences in traditional churches.

The ACLJ is committed to ensuring that the First Amendment rights of all Americans are protected, including the right to practice one’s faith in public spaces. We will continue to fight for Church on the Beach and all believers who face discrimination from government officials.

California County Targets Church’s Right to Public Beach: ACLJ Fights Back Against Religious Discrimination | American Center for Law and Justice

The ACLJ has taken action in California to defend the constitutional rights of a church after Los Angeles County implemented a new policy that singles out religious groups for discriminatory treatment in the rules about the use of public beaches. For 18 years, Church on the Beach has been . . .

aclj.org

I love ACLJ and try and listen to their program as often as I can. Thanks for posting this

 

[1LoverofGod]

There continues to be discrimination against Christians and Jews in this Constitutional Republic where some political leaders in States and Counties and appointed judges are applying the first amendment rights only to select groups and violating the rights of American Christians and American Jews protected under the same first amendment.

We know this is expected....
But God...

Even so Come Lord Jesus

 

[Everlasting Life]

Sounds like the restrainer is continuing to restrain.....

 

[TCC]

There continues to be discrimination against Christians and Jews in this Constitutional Republic where some political leaders in States and Counties and appointed judges are applying the first amendment rights only to select groups and violating the rights of American Christians and American Jews protected under the same first amendment.

We know this is expected....
But God...

Even so Come Lord Jesus

So yeah this is why i like Rev 22:11. It sounds like the more it is like that verse (a blend and contrast very noticeable, the more we can see), this condition would hiighlight He is coming very soon. Amen.

. . . . .

Please keep in mind too that although Christian America would hold Israel and Jews in high regard because of God's emphasis upon them biblically and prophetically, there are many high profile sound thinkers who see the constitution abuse to give Jews special favor in America. And comments in any form desenting from Jewish favor would be blackballed from publishing. This is a very real condition that exists in America. We see it most profoundly in arenas like DailyWire, which I actually like. I just mention that because as much as we might see and feel a sense of unrighteous persecution (which as we see in Syria it is at its peak) in America, there are equally other factors too that if we look into with a fine tooth comb would amaze us astronomically as to their implications.

For example...it would seem that the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) has superceded freedom of speech in America and the constitution. There is even an act of Congress that use it to override freedom of speech on University Camposus. At this point it is only in reference to federal school funding. But some pastors are concerned what legislation like that might do to the pulpit. Like not being able to tell the story of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John because it would be considered hate speech to say Jews put to death their own messiah. So there is that tension too.

But I mention that not to just be like an info head. I mention it because on the bright side in a time where we do see unprecidented socially accepted evil, we also see God moving in ways to offset globlaists push against Israel. Even to the extent where the United States of America would protect Isreal over its own constitution. This too is something occuring in our day. Also maybe fits in with Rev 22:11 in ways. In any event yeah just saying. Why I see that as astonishing is that in a day and age where religious persecution is even a thing in the USA, we see also a strength of Israel in America that in ways can supercede the constitution in the minds of some Americans. And although this is not constitutionally right, it is a condition. A condition that speaks of what favor America likely has over Isreal. A timestamp perhaps prophetic even marker...too. Blessings.