THE CITY REGROUPS AFTER THOUSANDS GATHERED IN PUBLIC SQUARE PARK FOR A “WORSHIP PROTEST”

BY MAY HARTNESS

On Oct. 11, thousands of participants, many unmasked and not socially distanced, gathered in Public Square Park to experience Let Us Worship, a campaign dedicated to fighting the alleged censorship of Christian voices in America.

Sean Feucht, leader of Let Us Worship, took to social media that evening and said, “We had THREE venue changes and so much resistance BUT THE CHURCH WILL NOT BE SILENCED!”

In early July, Feucht created the Let Us Worship pledge. The pledge was made in response to California’s temporary ban on singing and chanting in houses of worship — due to an increased likelihood that

these practices would spread COVID-19. The California Department of Public Health announced that such practices could continue to occur via internet streaming. In the video announcing the pledge, Feucht wears American flag sunglasses and quotes the Bible, specifically the book of Exodus.

“Let my people go, so that they may worship me.”

This verse in Exodus alludes to a group of people who have been enslaved for over 400 years.

“It really is time that we take a stand and fight back” Feucht says. And more than 11,000 have since signed the petition.

The Tennessean reports that the organizers

did not apply for a permit for the event, and the Metro Public Health Department is actively pursuing “penalties for the organizer.” MPHD did not respond to questions about how they were pursuing these penalties.

Interim Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake released a statement expressing his disappointment in the lack of face coverings and social distancing at the event. He claimed that the organizer of the event had no prior communication with the Metro Nashville Police Department and that the department is working alongside MPHD in “reviewing Sunday’s event.”

After images that Feucht posted to Instagram

from the Nashville event received both support and intense opposition, he removed the comment section entirely from some of his photos. He also released a statement regarding the city government, emphasizing the supposed attack against Christianity.

“Nashville launched an effort to selectively target Christians for harassment and punishment. There’s no need for an investigation here,” Feucht says.

It’s important to note that Feucht previously ran for the third congressional district in Northern California. He ran as a Republican and received about 13% of votes in the 2020 primary.