New CA Bill Cracks Down on Mobs Disrupting Religious Services

At a time when hostility toward people of faith is rising across the nation, California lawmakers are now considering legislation to better protect churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, and all houses of worship from intentional disruption.

Senator Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield), in partnership with The American Council, has introduced SB 1070, legislation designed to strengthen California law against those who deliberately interfere with religious services.

Under current law, California Penal Code § 302 makes it a misdemeanor to disturb a religious meeting by using profanity, misbehavior, or unreasonable noise. The maximum penalty is up to one year in county jail and/or a $1,000 fine, regardless of whether the disruption is minor or a coordinated, repeated, or violent effort to obstruct worship.

SB 1070 would update that statute by creating a “wobbler” offense, allowing prosecutors to charge serious, coordinated, or repeated disruptions as either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the severity of the conduct.

“With more and more aggressive disruptions targeting religious gatherings across California and nationwide, we must act to safeguard the constitutional rights to free exercise of religion and peaceful assembly,” said Senator Shannon Grove. “This bill treats ALL places of worship as the sacred spaces they are by allowing courts to use their discretion to charge perpetrators with a felony for serious or repeated conduct that interrupts worship.”

Rising Hostility Toward People of Faith

Across the country, houses of worship have increasingly become targets of coordinated protests, intimidation, and obstruction. A national report documented more than 415 hostile acts against churches in 2024, with California reporting the highest number, 40 incidents.

These are not merely peaceful demonstrations on public sidewalks. Many incidents involve obstruction of entrances, high-decibel sirens, intimidation of congregants, and even physical confrontations.

Last month, protesters stormed a Sunday worship service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, interrupting the gathering with chants of “ICE out” in opposition to federal immigration enforcement. The disruption targeted the church because one of its pastors has ties to ICE. Federal authorities opened a civil rights investigation, alleging the demonstrators intentionally interfered with congregants’ ability to worship in violation of the federal FACE Act.

In the weeks that followed, federal agents arrested multiple individuals connected to the coordinated disruption, including media personality Don Lemon, along with several local activists. According to federal officials, those charged face conspiracy and FACE Act violations for intentionally obstructing a religious service. The arrests brought renewed national attention to the growing pattern of protests crossing the line into direct interference with worship services.

California has seen some egregious examples as well.

In June 2024, a violent anti-Israel demonstration outside Adas Torah synagogue in Los Angeles devolved into chaos. Agitators allegedly attempted to physically block entrances and harassed those trying to enter the synagogue. Clashes broke out, and law enforcement had to intervene. President Biden later condemned the incident, calling intimidation of Jewish congregants “dangerous, unconscionable, antisemitic and un-American.”

More recently, on March 19, 2025, agitators disrupted a worship service at The Mission Church in Carlsbad. Protesters posed as attendees, shouted hostile nicknames, interrupted prayers, and used amplified sound devices outside to prevent participation. According to a federal lawsuit, demonstrators later returned on Easter Sunday and again on September 7, blocking entrances and blaring imitation police sirens for hours during an interfaith prayer service. One Jewish woman reported that a masked individual jumped on the hood of her car and banged on her windshield as she attempted to attend the service.

These are not peaceful expressions of disagreement. They are deliberate attempts to intimidate believers and interfere with constitutionally protected religious exercise.

Strengthening the Law

SB 1070 would expand Penal Code Section 302 to allow intentional disruption of religious worship to be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony. Felony penalties would include fines of up to $5,000 and county jail time of 16 months, two years, or three years, while preserving misdemeanor options for less severe cases.

The bill also increases community service requirements, including 50 to 80 hours as an alternative penalty, and 120 to 160 hours for those with prior convictions under this section or related statutes.

Importantly, this legislation does not restrict peaceful protest conducted lawfully in public spaces. Under U.S. law, houses of worship are private property, even when open to the public for services. Property owners retain the right to set rules for conduct and remove disruptive individuals. The U.S. Supreme Court has consistently held that private property does not become a public forum simply because it is open to the public. Laws prohibiting intentional disruption regulate conduct, not viewpoint, and protect the rights of worshippers.

As Tanner DiBella, President of The American Council, stated:

“Freedom of worship is not a partisan value; it is a human and civil right. This bill is about ensuring that families and congregations, regardless of tradition or denomination, can gather without fear of being intentionally disrupted.”

Protecting Sacred Space

California Family Council Vice President Greg Burt emphasized the importance of protecting churches and other houses of worship from targeted disruption:

“Churches are not political rally venues or protest stages. They are sacred spaces where families gather to worship God in peace. When agitators intentionally invade or obstruct services, they are not exercising free speech. They are trampling on the religious liberty of others. California must send a clear message that worship services will be protected,” he said.

Scripture reminds us in 1 Timothy 2:2 (ESV) to pray “that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” That biblical vision of ordered liberty assumes the ability to gather freely for worship without intimidation.

SB 1070 recognizes what should be obvious: religious liberty is meaningless if believers cannot gather in peace.