Federal judge rules some of Pennsylvania's coronavirus orders are unconstitutional

In a 60 page ruling, U.S. District Judge William Stickman IV, ruled today that some of Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf’s coronavirus orders were unconstitutional.

Judge Stickman said that COVID-19 orders from Wolf and Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Rachel Levine violated and continue to violate the First Amendment right to freedom of assembly and the due process and equal protection clauses of the 14th amendment.

The efforts to stop the spread of the coronavirus "were undertaken with the good intention of addressing a public health emergency. But even in an emergency, the authority of government is not unfettered."

"There is no question that this country has faced, and will face, emergencies of every sort," said Judge Stickman IV. "But the solution to a national crisis can never be permitted to supersede the commitment to individual liberty that stands as the foundation of the American experiment."

Governor Wolf's office said they are disappointed in the ruling and are looking to appeal the ruling.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/516333-federal-judge-rules-pennsylvanias-coronavirus-orders-are%3famp

https://www.google.com/amp/s/philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2020/09/14/federal-judge-rules-pennsylvania-gov-tom-wolfs-covid-19-shutdown-order-unconstitutional/amp/

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.wtae.com/amp/article/judge-rules-pennsylvania-gov-tom-wolf-shutdown-orders-unconstitutional/34013103