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Religious groups rally behind Suozzi’s SACRED Act
Bill makes it a federal crime to intimidate, obstruct, or harass worshippers near religious sites.
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Jeffin T. Kaleekal - Mon, 27, Apr 2026
- 00:15 EDT
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Rep. Tom Suozzi, HAF logo and United Sikhs logo / Wkimedia commons, HAF and United Sikhs
Community organizations including the Hindu American Foundation and United Sikhs have endorsed Democratic U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi’s congressional attempt at curbing harassment at places of worship.
Titled the “Safeguarding Access to Congregations and Religious Establishments from Disruption (SACRED) Act,” the bill will make it a federal crime “to intentionally intimidate, obstruct or harass people exercising their right to religious worship within 100 feet of a place of worship, whether by threatening them, blocking their path or approaching them within 8 feet for the purpose of harassment or intimidation,” noted Rep. Suozzi in a statement.
ALSO READ: HCF applauds Ottawa’s proposed protest protection to places of worship
The bipartisan “buffer zones bill,” co-led by Republican Rep. Max Miller, was unveiled April 24 and has received endorsements from 11 community and advocacy organizations, including the Hindu American Foundation, United Sikhs, Islamic Society of North America and the Anti-Defamation League, among others.
Hindu American Foundation Managing Director of Policy & Programs Samir Kalra endorsed the bill and said, “The Hindu American community welcomes the introduction of the SACRED Act as a critical step in safeguarding our places of worship.”
Kalra also highlighted the recent spate of violence targeting Hindu temples across America and its effect on the psyche of devotees, and emphasized that the bill “ensures that our mandirs remain the sacred spaces of peace and community they are meant to be.” Kalra added, “No American should have to exercise their First Amendment right to pray under the shadow of intimidation or fear. We’re grateful to Representatives Tom Suozzi (D-NY) and Max Miller (R-OH) for their bipartisan leadership on this issue.”
“For the Sikh community, and all faith communities, whose houses of worship are rooted in openness, service and equality, this protection is especially meaningful. Gurdwaras, synagogues, mosques, churches and temples are not only places of prayer but also centers of community support and public service,” said Bhupinder Kaur of United Sikhs. Endorsing the bill, United Sikhs also noted that this measure reinforces a “shared commitment to religious freedom, mutual respect and public safety.”
Highlighting the significance of the bill, Congressman Suozzi said in a statement, “No one deserves to be harassed or intimidated, especially on their way to their place of worship.”
He continued, “We’re living in increasingly volatile times, fueled in part by social media fanning the flames of division and our foreign adversaries trying to divide us from within. I’ve heard real fear from my constituents over the last few years about the hate they see and feel, especially while going to pray or being visibly religious.”
The Democrat acknowledged that Congress has a responsibility to address that fear in a thoughtful, targeted way that protects constituents while balancing the First Amendment right to peacefully protest.
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