After a series of incidents targeting religious institutions, US Representatives Tom Suozzi (D-NY) and Max Miller (R-OH) introduced the Safeguarding Access to Congregations and Religious Establishments from Disruption (SACRED) Act on Monday to protect Americans’ right to safely access their places of worship. The legislation was presented during a press conference at the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County.
In the event attended by leaders from different faith and advocacy groups, Souzzi highlighted the need to address the rising fear among constituents who face hostility for practicing their religion.
“No one deserves to be harassed or intimidated, especially on their way to their place of worship,” he said “We have a responsibility to address that fear in a thoughtful, targeted way that protects our constituents while balancing the First Amendment right to peacefully protest.”
Provisions of the SACRED Act
Religious institutions across the country, including synagogues, churches, mosques, mandirs, and gurdwaras, have become frequent targets of harassment and physical violence over the years. Many have reported being shouted at, physically blocked from entering services, and being threatened.
If passed, the SACRED Act would establish strict penalties against harassments of worshippers at the doors of their religious institutions. It would become a federal crime to intentionally intimidate, obstruct, or harass individuals exercising their right to religious worship.
The specific provisions of the bill includes prohibition of:
- Threatening or physically blocking the path of worshippers within 100 feet of a place of worship.
- Approaching an individual within 8 feet for the explicit purpose of harassment or intimidation while they are within that 100-foot buffer zone.
“Every American deserves to practice their faith free from fear, intimidation, or harassment,” said Miller, “This common sense legislation draws a clear line: intimidation and threats have no place in our communities.”
The Act has gained support from diverse religious and civil rights organisations, including ADL, AJC, the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America (OU), Hadassah, the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), the Hindu American Foundation (HAF), and United Sikhs.
The bill was introduced as a safeguard to freedom of speech. Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean of the US Berkeley School of Law, confirmed that the legislation is “consistent with the First Amendment.”
