California bill would criminalize activism outside churches
Do you think it should be a crime to protest a church?
How about just to protest near a church?
AB2664 would do this and more, making it criminal to even talk to a religious practitioner on their way to worship about a cause… let alone demonstrate with signs or distribute leaflets near the building.
AB2664 bundles these restrictions with new criminal penalties for any "act of violence" performed within 100 feet of a religious building's entrance—a redundant measure, as a person who commits religiously motivated violence can already be charged under any number of state and local laws, including anti-hate laws.
The bill is ostensibly aimed at anti-religious hate, but would also suppress:
LGBTQ+ rights protestors outside hate churches
Atheists or secular activists protesting churches that violate separation of religion and government
Protests of the Gaza war near synagogues and temples
Former cult members protesting their abusers
Labor and social justice protestors calling out political megachurches
Activists distributing pamphlets about abuse allegations involving clergy or institutions
Animal rights or environmental protestors confronting religious violators
Moreover, the bill’s vague language leaves it up to interpretation whether it would ban protected speech on public sidewalks that just happen to be near a religious institution.
In other words, AB2664 creates a loophole that could be used to suppress any political speech that happens to be near a church.
In the densest parts of California cities, where multiple places of worship can be found on the same city block, is that whole block now illegal to protest on? When the next big protest happens against Trump, ICE, or white supremacy, will demonstrators face new criminal penalties because a church is nearby?
The bill doesn’t answer these questions, and that’s exactly why the State Legislature should vote no on AB2664.
AB2664 would do little to prevent violence, and a lot to privilege religion above free speech.
As of 5/22/26, AB2664 has passed committee and is expected to receive a vote on the floor of the CA State Assembly. Contact your Assembly Member now to urge a “no” vote and share the petition against AB2664 with friends.
