The St. Paul city attorney has opted not to prosecute anti-ICE protesters who disrupted Cities Church in January, describing their actions as a ‘peaceful protest.’ Pastor Jonathan Parnell and attorney Doug Wardlow discussed this decision on the program ‘Saturday in America.’ The controversy has prompted a display of bipartisan unity in the U.S. House of Representatives, with lawmakers aiming to address destructive protests targeting places of worship.
Representatives Brad Knott from North Carolina and Tom Suozzi from New York are introducing a bill that proposes making it a crime to knowingly disrupt or impede individuals attending religious services. According to legislative text acquired by Fox News Digital, the bill targets demonstrations within 100 feet of any entrance to a house of worship, starting one hour before the service and ending one hour after.
A violation of these guidelines could result in civil fines: $2,500 for the first offense, $5,000 for the second, and $10,000 for the third. However, the bill allows for exceptions, including protests that have federal, state, or local government-issued permits. The bill’s language specifies that disruptions are classified based on their volume, duration, and impact, without infringing on the content of speech, thus preserving First Amendment rights.
Knott emphasized that many Americans face harassment or intimidation while attempting to worship freely, which undermines one of the nation’s founding principles. He stated that no one should have to choose between worshiping in fear and the freedom to worship at all.
Suozzi echoed similar sentiments, supporting peaceful protests but opposing harassment, threats, or intimidation at religious gatherings. He affirmed the attendees’ protection from such disruptions.
The Associated Press reported that four states have implemented laws to ban disruptions at religious services this year. This legislative effort followed protests in Minnesota that disrupted a service at a church where a federal immigration official was allegedly a pastor.
Elizabeth Elkind, a politics reporter for Fox News Digital, leads coverage of the House of Representatives. Her previous work can be found at Daily Mail and CBS News. Follow her on Twitter at @liz_elkind.