Red state moves to criminalize protests in and around churches

A Louisiana Senate committee advanced two bills Tuesday that seek to criminalize disruptive protests in and near churches, but free speech advocates believe they are unconstitutional.

A judiciary committee approved Senate Bill 35 by Sen. Bill Wheat, R-Ponchatoula, and Senate Bill 306 by Sen. Rick Edmonds, R-Central, sending them to the full Senate. The bills are among several filed in the wake of a Jan. 18 protest at a Minneapolis church where an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer is a pastor.