The Utah House has overwhelmingly passed a bill that would make it easier for law enforcement to intervene on behalf of faith groups facing disruptions during gatherings. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Matt MacPherson, aims to address concerns raised by church and synagogue members regarding protesters interrupting funerals, weddings, and services through noise, verbal threats, and harassment. The measure would update existing Utah law to disallow individuals from preventing or 'substantially' disrupting lawful gatherings, blocking entry or exit, or hindering meetings through excessive sound. It also includes the term 'knowingly,' allowing police to act when protesters are informed they are hindering a gathering but persist.
In the wake of sometimes-boisterous protests near churches and synagogues, the Utah House has overwhelmingly passed a bill that would make it easier for law enforcement to intervene on behalf of faith groups.would update existing Utah law to disallow people from preventing or “substantially” disrupting a lawful gathering — be it by use of force, violence or the threat of violence.
Included in the list of incidents these individuals described were harassers taking pictures of them and their children and posting them on social media, making verbal threats and aiming bullhorns at the windows of their places of worship. “That kind of behavior intimidates people,” Spector said, “who then don’t come back because they’re scared.”
FREESPEECH RELIGIOUSFREEDOM PROTEST LAWENFORCEMENT UTAH
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