Anti-lockdown pastor investigated after holding rally attended by thousands

Nashville regulations prohibit outdoor gatherings of more than 25

Sean Feucht has held similar protests in other cities across the US (Twitter)

A Christian preacher who has repeatedly flouted coronavirus social distancing guidelines by holding large-scale "worship protests" has held another event in Tennessee attended by thousands of people.

Sean Feucht, a musician, online personality and failed GOP candidate, addressed thousands of tightly packed together supporters at the Nashville courthouse grounds on Sunday.

Mr Feucht claims that 9,000 of his followers attended the gathering. But images show a crowd of about roughly half that total.

He holds the events to protest against coronavirus restrictions on churches, which he claims violate religious liberty.

Many of those attending the event did not wear face masks or practise social distancing. Outdoor gatherings of more than 25 people are prohibited under Nashville coronavirus guidelines.

Local officials say the organiser did not ask for permission to hold the gathering, which took place on the weekend that Tennessee coronavirus deaths hit 2,738.

Mr Feucht has held similar events in California, Maine, Oregon, Colorado and Florida. Like president Donald Trump and other Republicans, he uses the "free speech" mantra to bypass local restrictions.

"... THE CHURCH WILL NOT BE SILENCED!" he said in a tweet on Monday following the previous night's protest.

Local health authorities are investigating the event. "We have worked very hard to slow the spread of COVID by taking a measured approach to protect the community," Nashville health department spokesman Brian Todd said in a statement Monday.  

"The Health Department is very concerned by the actions that took place at the event and we are investigating and will pursue appropriate penalties against the organizer."

Mr Feucht, who has amassed hundreds of thousands of online followers, ran for election to the US House to represent California's 3rd Congressional District. He lost in the primary election.