hree Christian churches in Minnesota have filed a lawsuit in federal court Thursday, August 13, to push back against the state's overreaching Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic rules mandating the wearing of face masks, the observation of social distancing, as well as other regulations.

The governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz, a Democrat, passed several executive orders in recent days that implemented many of these restrictions. Many of the new protocols specifically target people who merely want to participate in religious services.

The three churches challenging what they view to be a violation of the freedom to worship are the Cornerstone Baptist Church in Alexandria in western Minnesota; the Land of Promise Church right outside of Buffalo, northwest of Minneapolis; and Lifespring Church in Crosby, central Minnesota.