Pacific Justice Institute (PJI) represented the leadership of four religious groups that had been suspended in late 2016 by their homeowners' association (HOA). The suspension followed a complaint from one atheist in the retirement community, Solera at Kern Canyon. Other than the one complaint, the religious groups had become quite popular within the community, with approximately 100 weekly attendees of the four groups in a community of 558 homes. Like other interest groups, the Sunday morning worship service, men's Bible study and two women's Bible studies meet in the community center.

After the Bible studies and worship service were suspended just before Thanksgiving of 2016, one attendee of the worship service and men's Bible studies filed suit, and the suspension was lifted at the end of that year. The HOA, however, continued to insist that it had done nothing wrong and possessed the authority to suspend the groups again at any time, so litigation continued throughout 2017 and early 2018 to resolve that issue. PJI intervened in the suit last spring on behalf of the leadership of the Bible studies and worship service. PJI argued that, although the homeowners' association was not directly subject to the First Amendment, it owed residents similar obligations under the state's civil rights laws.

The case was scheduled for trial in mid-May when the parties met on March 12 for mediation. In mediation, the HOA agreed to a number of concessions that will protect the seniors' religious rights going forward. Once the settlement was finalized over the next several weeks, the plaintiffs filed for dismissal of the case earlier this month. They were designated in the settlement as the prevailing parties.

Brad Dacus, president of Pacific Justice Institute, commented, "We are thrilled with this tremendous victory on behalf of these courageous senior citizens. This may be the first time a group of residents have taken on their HOA in court to fight for their religious meeting rights—and won."

Matthew McReynolds, the PJI attorney who led the group's litigation in the case, stated, "Throughout this case, their faith and dedication have inspired us. They are overcoming physical challenges and disabilities to spread the light in their community, and we couldn't have been more proud to represent them."

PJI worked collaboratively in this case with attorney Doug Gosling of Braun Gosling in Bakersfield, who represented the other plaintiff.

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

California Town Tears Down Beloved Hillside Cross

Danielle Smith Again Defends Alberta's Coming Ban on Transgender Mutilation of Children

Detransitioners: We Were Pushed to Transition as Teens, Now We're 'Vindicated' By Study Showing Kids Grow Out of It

US Supreme Court Says Idaho Can Enforce Ban on Child 'Sex Changes' as Lawsuit Continues

How Bidenomics Shattered the American Dream of Homeownership

Bill Aims to Stop Illegal Aliens from Squatting in US Homes

Soros-Linked NGO Distributes Flyers in Mexico Telling Illegal Immigrants to 'Vote For Biden': Report

Long-Awaited Articles of Impeachment against DHS Secretary Mayorkas Finally Arrive in Senate

Justices Gorsuch and Alito Highlight Biden Admin's Glaring Double Standard during J6 Hearing

Louisiana House Passes Bill That Requires All Schools Receiving State Funds to Display the Ten Commandments Inside Classrooms

NPR Suspends Editor Who Blew Whistle on Left-Wing Takeover of Newsroom

Sri Lanka: Pro-Family Activists Successfully Derail Effort to Turn Country Pro-LGBT, But Now There's a New Fight in Parliament over Broad 'Gender' Bills

50,000 Join Polish March for Life in the Midst of Government Push to Overturn Abortion Ban

Hamas Remains Obstacle to Gaza Ceasefire, Israel Has Moved in a 'Significant Way,' US Says

Wow. Joe Biden Approved Iran's Assault on Israel 'Within Certain Limits'

'Unjust Scam': Trump Says He Will Likely Miss Son Barron's Graduation Due to 'Conflicted and Corrupt' Judge

Maine Governor Allows National Popular Vote Legislation to Become Law

Election Integrity: Trump, Mike Johnson Back Bill Assuring Only US Citizens Vote in Elections

Fox News Host Lawrence Jones Delivers Powerful Gospel Message: I'm 'Proud to Be a Believer'

California Mom Wants Child Castrated Without Father's Consent