According to the suit, social distancing rules are not neutral policy, but instead a "content-based regulation of First Amendment-protected activity." 

"Favored businesses, entities and activities, as well as favored mass demonstrations such as those over the death of George Floyd, are totally exempt from the challenged gathering limits," the lawsuit argues. 

Cuomo has approved of the protests, which have drawn large crowds, according to the suit. 

"Limiting the size of synagogue congregations to ten persons or mandating that the congregants attend "drive-in" services in closed motor vehicles … when numerous secular gatherings and the mass demonstrations now occurring are exempted from any such restrictions, unduly burdens plaintiffs' sincerely held religious beliefs," the suit argues.

On the house of worship restrictions limiting occupancy, the lawsuit claims that it is a "serious deprivation of their exercise of the Catholic religion."

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and state Attorney General Letitia James are listed as defendants in the suit, along with Cuomo.

Previously in New York, lockdown measures spurred by COVID-19 had cancelled all non-essential gatherings.

Cuomo has run into legal trouble before over his COVID-19 restrictions. Last month, he got rid of the state's near total ban on gatherings the same day he faced a legal challenge from the New York Civil Liberties Union over exceptions to the rule. Those exceptions had initially allowed for gatherings of up to 10 people for religious services and Memorial Day ceremonies.