New bill aims to criminalize disruptions in places of worship across Tennessee

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. — State representative and Hixson native Greg Martin is proposing a bill that would make any action to “intentionally obstruct, disturb or interfere with the activities of the religious institution” a misdemeanor crime.

This comes after an anti-ICE protester interrupted a service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota last month.

Bishop Kevin Adams of Olivet Baptist Church in Chattanooga says political protest has no place in a church.

“It is a sacred place in every house of worship, and it should be just that,” Says Bishop Adams. “It’s even interesting that we’re living in times where that’s been questions or we have to even address that.”

In 2021, a man named Marcus Trammell Williams interrupted a service at Olivet Baptist Church. Police charged Williams with assault after he punched the church’s youth pastor in the face.

Adams says for there needs to be consequences for those actions, and for the actions of anyone who comes in to disrupt church services in general.

Tennessee is making a statement that we’re not going to have it here or that we’re going to make some serious steps to deter people from this type of behavior.

According to the bill, interruptions in places of worship would be considered a class B misdemeanor. Violators would face up to 6 months behind bars, and could be fined up to $500.

If signed into law, it will go into effect on July 1st.