The DOJ is taking action.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against the city of Brunswick, Georgia, accusing it of trying to shut down a Christian charity, The Well, which provides services to the homeless. The lawsuit, filed in the Southern District of Georgia, alleges that Brunswick’s actions violated the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) of 2000. The Well, operated by FaithWorks, an organization connected to the South Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church, serves the homeless by offering meals, shelter, and showers. The DOJ argues that the city’s efforts to close The Well impose an undue burden on the religious practice of FaithWorks, as helping the poor and homeless is central to their faith.
The legal complaint follows a series of events in which Brunswick officials attempted to permanently close The Well. In 2023, the city temporarily closed the facility after reports that homeless individuals brought in by the charity had been involved in disruptive or violent behavior. During the 65-day closure, The Well made several adjustments, including improving security measures, in response to concerns about public safety. Despite these efforts, the city filed a nuisance lawsuit in July 2023, seeking to shut down The Well permanently, which led to the DOJ’s intervention.
Kristen Clarke, Assistant Attorney General of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, emphasized that The Well’s religious mission to help others is protected by federal law. She stated that the DOJ would continue to defend the rights of religious groups to use their properties for religious purposes and push back against local laws that unlawfully restrict these rights. Clarke’s remarks highlight the DOJ’s commitment to ensuring that religious practices, like those of FaithWorks, are not impeded by local government actions.
FaithWorks and The Well have been a vital resource for the homeless in Brunswick since 2014, providing not only shelter but also critical services to individuals in need. The charity’s leaders, including Rev. Wright Culpepper, expressed appreciation for the DOJ’s involvement, which they believe will help relieve the legal uncertainties and delays that had hindered their ability to serve the community effectively. The city’s attempt to close the charity has been a source of ongoing legal and financial strain for FaithWorks, which continues to face challenges as it works to help the homeless.
The case has broader implications for the balance between local regulations and religious freedom, particularly when it comes to the provision of essential services by faith-based organizations. The DOJ’s lawsuit represents an important stand in protecting the rights of religious organizations to operate freely and fulfill their missions, even in the face of opposition from local authorities.