The First Amendment provides protections for religious liberty and free speech, but what happens when those rights come into conflict?
The Georgia legislature is attempting to answer that question with a bill banning protests outside religious services.
Senate Bill 591, sponsored by Dahlonega Republican Sen. Steve Gooch, who is a candidate for lieutenant governor, passed the Senate earlier this month with a 39-13 vote, with Republicans unified in support and Democrats split. It is on its way to the state House after unanimously moving through a House committee Tuesday.
If it passes there and receives Gov. Brian Kemp’s signature, protests deemed to be disruptive would be banned within 500 feet of a religious service, starting an hour before it is set to begin and ending an hour after the posted end time.
“It basically is just a measure to protect religious freedom and ensure worshipers are shielded from harassment or protestors storming a service,” said Mike Griffin, spokesperson for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, which supports the bill.