Repeated attacks on houses of worship—synagogues, mosques and churches—have transformed places of refuge into targets for intimidation.
In response, California lawmakers proposed a measure in February 2026—SB 1070—to strengthen protections for people of every religious background who gather for worship in California by making the disruption of any religious service a felony punishable by a fine of up to $5,000, a maximum of three years’ jail time or both.
“Frankly, this is our lives every day when we show up to worship in our synagogue.”
The legislation was welcomed by religious leaders throughout the state, who recognized the need to protect sacred spaces and those who worship there.
It died in committee a month later.
But another bill designed with the same purpose—Assembly Bill 2664—advanced through committee by a unanimous vote on June 16. The measure would create a clearly defined buffer zone between protesters and worshippers, protecting parishioners from intimidation and abuse.
Current law prohibits disturbances inside a house of worship or “so near it as to disturb the order and solemnity of the meeting.” AB 2664 would replace that ambiguous standard with clear boundaries, establishing a buffer within 100 feet of facility entrances and within 8 feet of individuals attempting to enter.
The bill’s sponsor, California Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, who is Jewish, said, “Frankly, this is our lives every day when we show up to worship in our synagogue. We have seen here in California that people who are entering their synagogues or mosques, churches and other places of worship, as they enter, they are surrounded. They are yelled at.”
“Assembly Bill 2664 has one simple goal: to ensure that people of all faiths have the freedom to worship without fear,” Robert Trestan, vice president of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) West Division, testified in support of the bill. “This bill does not ban peaceful political expression and protest. But rather, it is intended to ensure that worshippers can safely exercise their right to pray, while protecting the freedom of speech and assembly.”
The problem extends far beyond California, and no faith has emerged unscathed from rising religious hostility.
There have been at least 1,384 acts of hostility against American churches since 2018. In 2025 alone, the ADL tabulated 6,274 incidents of antisemitic harassment, vandalism and assault. California Churches of Scientology have faced roughly 100 swatting incidents—false emergency calls that trigger police responses—as well as video-recorded harassment of parishioners entering and leaving Church facilities. Twenty-nine percent of American Muslims report fearing for their personal safety.
Hatred begins long before a window is smashed or a worshipper is assaulted. It starts with the normalization of threats and intimidation, until worshippers begin wondering whether it is safe to attend services at all. Assembly Bill 2664 may not end that hatred, but it could draw a line—and help ensure that houses of worship are once again places of peace and refuge.
