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Owner Of 'Faith-Based' Wisconsin Hair Salon Claims Shutdown Order Violates Her Freedom Of Religion In Lawsuit
A lawsuit filed by a salon owner in Appleton, Wisconsin claims that her business has a right to remain open during the state's "safer-at-home" order because closing would violate her first amendment rights.
Jessica Netzel owns "Kingdom Kuts," a hair salon with a religious theme.
Various references to scripture decorate the establishment and Netzel claims in her lawsuit that she "sincerely believes that she is to share her faith with others through her work at Kingdom Kuts."
Netzel's lawsuit names Governor Tony Evers, local Police Chief Todd L. Thomas, and Department of Health Services Secretary-Designee Andrea Palm as defendents infringing upon her first amendment rights to "religion, speech, and assembly."
Simply put, Netzel believes that her hair salon is legally a church.
Police arrived at Kingdom Kuts earlier this month to inform Netzel that she could face fines or have her license revoked if she continued to operate.
The authorities later issued a "cease and desist" letter.
Both of these efforts were ignored.
Finally, having exhausted all other options, officers once again visited Kingdom Kuts to inform Netzel the Outagamie County District Attorney was planning to prosecute her.
It was at this point Netzel filed her lawsuit.
Netzel is seeking an injunction which will allow her salon to continue working under Governor Evers' order, which deems places of worship as "essential" but limits their congregations to ten per room.
This salon owner is one of many who have pushed back against social distancing orders, with many disregarding health officials' advice to protest the government's policies outside the capital on April 24.
Only time will tell whether the courts will allow Kingdom Kuts to remain open.