US lawmakers seek 100-foot buffer zone around houses of worship to protect against protests

A bipartisan group of US lawmakers introduced the Right to Worship Act on Thursday, aiming to create a 100-foot buffer zone around houses of worship during religious services to protect against disruptive protests. The bill, sponsored by Sens. Ted Cruz and Elissa Slotkin and Reps. Brad Knott and Tom Suozzi, would establish civil penalties and legal pathways for enforcement. It follows similar legislation in New York and the earlier SACRED Act.

A bipartisan group of US lawmakers introduced the Right to Worship Act on Thursday, aiming to protect houses of worship from disruptive demonstrations. The bill, introduced in both the House and Senate, would establish a 100-foot buffer zone around houses of worship during religious services, mirroring similar legislation recently enacted in New York. Sponsors include Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), and Representatives Brad Knott (R-NC) and Tom Suozzi (D-NY). The legislation would create civil penalties for offenders and provide pathways for individuals, including state attorneys, to seek court orders and damages in federal court. It targets protesters who knowingly disrupt scheduled religious services, but houses of worship would not be required to make their schedules public. The bill's sponsors say the measure is aimed at conduct rather than the content of protesters' speech. The Anti-Defamation League helped draft the legislation, with CEO Jonathan Greenblatt stating, "No one should have to push through a hostile crowd or shout over a bullhorn in an attempt to pray." This is the latest attempt at federal legislation following Suozzi's SACRED Act, introduced in April but not progressed. The New York City Council passed a local buffer zone bill in March after pro-Palestinian protests outside synagogues, which faced opposition from civil rights leaders citing First Amendment concerns.