In a compelling tale of resilience and triumph over adversity, a liberal college town in Idaho has agreed to pay $300,000 to three Christian churchgoers who bravely stood up for their rights during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The city of Moscow settled with Gabriel Rench, along with Sean and Rachel Bohnet, who took a stand against their arrest at an outdoor psalm sing conducted by their church in September 2020.
The peaceful protest, known as the “psalm sing,” lasted a mere 20 minutes in front of Moscow City Hall. However, it garnered nationwide attention when footage of the arrests went viral, sparking outrage on social media and even catching the attention of then-President Trump, who condemned the incident on Twitter.
The trio of brave believers, guided by their faith, filed a lawsuit in March 2021, alleging that their First and Fourth Amendment rights were violated during the arrest. They were charged with violating the city’s health ordinance, despite there being exemptions for constitutionally protected activities, including religious gatherings.
In a significant victory for the churchgoers, a magistrate judge later dismissed the case against them, and a U.S. District Court Judge underscored the city’s oversight in their wrongful arrest. Moscow’s unconstitutional actions were laid bare, and justice prevailed.
However, this hard-fought battle came at a personal cost for Gabriel Rench. Despite the victory, he has been ostracized in his liberal community, facing accusations and challenges to his character. But he remains steadfast in his belief that the people must stand united against the targeting of Christians and defenders of the Constitution.
Rench believes that lasting change can only come through the power of voting, as it disincentivizes political leaders from pursuing their self-serving agendas. He draws parallels with the situation in Canada, where pastors have faced persecution for holding church services, warning that America may be on a similar path if significant changes are not made.
The settlement brings some closure to the unprecedented challenges faced during the pandemic. The city’s insurance provider determined that it was best to settle the case to avoid prolonged litigation. But for some, the fight is far from over, as Pastor Douglas Wilson’s family remains embroiled in legal battles over misdemeanor charges related to protesting the arrests.
Wilson sees a troubling pattern of the government using its vast resources to silence dissent and punish those who speak out. The weaponization of the justice system poses a threat not only to small-town America but also to the wider concerns about the Department of Justice’s approach under President Biden.
In the end, this tale of faith, courage, and perseverance serves as a reminder that standing up for one’s beliefs can lead to profound and necessary change, even in the face of daunting challenges.