Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/19pdf/19a1070_08l1.pdf
Page Number: 8.0

8 

CALVARY CHAPEL DAYTON VALLEY v. SISOLAK 

ALITO, J., dissenting 

4–5),  and  under  our  cases  religion  counts  as  a  viewpoint, 
Rosenberger v. Rector and Visitors of Univ. of Va., 515 U. S. 
819, 831 (1995).  Here, the Directive plainly discriminates 
on  the  basis  of  viewpoint.    Compare  the  directive’s  treat-
ment of casino entertainment and church services.  Both in-
volve  expression,  but  the  directive  favors  the  secular  ex-
pression  in  casino  shows  over  the  religious  expression  in 
houses of worship. 
  Calvary  Chapel  has  also  brought  to  our  attention  evi-
dence that the Governor has favored certain speakers over 
others.  When large numbers of protesters openly violated 
provisions of the Directive, such as the rule against groups 
of more than 50 people, the Governor not only declined to 
enforce  the  directive  but  publicly  supported  and  partici-
pated in a protest.  Cf. Masterpiece Cakeshop, 584 U. S., at 
___–___ (slip op., at 14–16).  He even shared a video of pro-
testers standing shoulder to shoulder.  The State’s response 
to news that churches might violate the directive was quite 
different.    The  attorney  general  of  Nevada  is  reported  to 
have said, “ ‘You can’t spit . . . in the face of law and not ex-
pect law to respond.’ ”2 
  Public protests, of course, are themselves protected by the 
First Amendment, and any efforts to restrict them would be 
subject  to  judicial  review.    But  respecting  some  First 
Amendment rights is not a shield for violating others.  The 
State defends the Governor on the ground that the protests 
expressed a viewpoint on important issues, and that is un-
doubtedly  true,  but  favoring  one  viewpoint  over  others  is 
anathema to the First Amendment. 

—————— 

2 Application 8, and n. 6 (quoting Lochhead, Sisolak, Elected Nevada 
Officials  Discuss  Systemic  Racism,  Reform,  Las  Vegas  Review-Journal 
(June  5,  2020),  www.reviewjournal.com/news/politics-and-government/ 
nevada/sisolak-elected-nevada-officials-discuss-systemic-racism-reform-
2045833/).