State Legislation Wages War on Disruptive Protests at Places of Worship

A growing number of U.S. states are considering laws that would elevate the disruption of church services to a felony, aiming to curb protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Recent protests, particularly a notable one in Minnesota, have sparked these legislative moves.

In Oklahoma, Republican Governor Kevin Stitt has enacted a law that not only intensifies penalties for protesters disrupting church gatherings but also establishes “buffer zones” for the protection of worshippers.

Meanwhile, Alabama’s House is gearing up to vote on a Republican-backed measure making it a Class C felony to enter a place of worship intending to disrupt services. Should it pass, first-time offenders could face as much as ten years behind bars.

Idaho is looking at a new bill that would extend the state’s “disturbance of the peace” law to include churches, which currently applies to interactions between neighbors and individuals. Violating this law is a misdemeanor that could lead to a fine or up to six months in prison.

Numerous other states are rolling out similar proposals, with lawmakers explicitly linking these efforts to the recent protests in Minnesota. South Dakota is deliberating on two separate bills targeting disturbances during church services. The first proposed a 50-foot barrier around worship sites and a one-hour stop on protests related to church events; however, it was met with resistance due to First Amendment concerns.

The second bill, introduced by Governor Larry Rhoden, aims to change the classification of disrupting services from a misdemeanor to a felony, resulting in possible prison time of up to two years and fines reaching $4,000.

These legislative responses follow incidents like the one at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, where demonstrators interrupted services with shouts of “ICE out.” This unrest has led to federal charges against nine individuals involved, including a former CNN anchor, related to conspiracy and violations of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE).

The FACE Act, enacted in 1994, looks to shield individuals from threats and obstructions that impede their religious freedoms and access to reproductive health care facilities. Critics, particularly among Republicans and pro-life advocates, contend that this law has been applied selectively, with a notable focus on protests outside reproductive health clinics, rather than places of worship.

In Ohio, new legislation (HB 662) proposed by two Republican lawmakers would also reclassify disruption of religious services as a felony, reflecting the unrest driving these legislative initiatives. One of the bill’s sponsors mentioned the importance of safeguarding worshippers from such invasions during their religious observances, emphasizing public peace and the right to religious expression.