Republicans in Oklahoma have successfully passed and signed into law a bill that criminalizes disrupting religious worship services.
Why It Matters
The legislation follows a high-profile church protest in St. Paul, Minnesota, where demonstrators disrupted Sunday services. Former CNN host Don Lemon is among nine people charged by federal authorities with conspiracy to interfere with religious freedoms in connection with that incident. Lemon’s lawyer has said his client will “fight these charges vigorously and thoroughly in court.”
What To Know
Senate Bill 743 makes it a crime to willfully disturb, interrupt, or disquiet a group gathered for worship.
First offenses are misdemeanors punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine, while repeat offenses are felonies carrying penalties of up to two years in prison and higher fines.
The law targets actions such as using profanity or indecent acts during services, preventing entry or exit, approaching worshippers without consent, making excessive noise, or obstructing access to church activities.
Republican lawmakers have framed the law as protecting the ability of Oklahomans to worship freely and without fear of harassment.
On the Senate floor, the bill passed by a vote of 31 in favor and 15 opposed. This was the final fourth‑reading vote on the measure before it moved on for signature to the governor’s desk.
The bill’s sponsor, Republican Senator Todd Gollihare, cited a personal experience at his own church as part of the reason for the legislation. Earlier this year, Gollihare said he and his family were harassed at Blue Bell Freewill Baptist Church in Creek County, where individuals upset with his legislative record confronted worshippers and made hostile comments before services. Gollihare said some attendees left the church that day out of fear, prompting the pastor to call law enforcement.
Lemon has been given a new federal court date in Minnesota of February 13, four days later than originally scheduled, to face charges tied to his presence at a January 18 protest inside Cities Church in St. Paul, where demonstrators entered during services to oppose a pastor’s alleged connection to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
What People Are Saying
Senator Gollihare said in a press release: “Oklahoma has a long tradition of respecting faith, family and community. This bill draws a clear line: people are free to protest, but they do not have a right to invade sacred spaces and deliberately disrupt worship.”
Attorney General Gentner Drummond said in a news release on February 4: “What happened in Minnesota last month was appalling. Protesters invaded a church sanctuary during Sunday worship services, creating chaos and fear among families who were simply trying to practice their faith. This kind of targeted disruption of religious worship cannot be tolerated in a free society. Oklahoma families deserve better, and this legislation ensures they will have the legal protections they need.”
Senator Kendal Sacchieri (R‑Blanchard) described the measure as “an extreme new law” and urged clearer definitions and guardrails to protect free speech and lawful protest.
What Happens Next
With the governor’s signature, SB 743 is now officially law in Oklahoma. Implementation will involve local and state law enforcement determining when behavior constitutes unlawful disruption of worship under the law.
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