4 states cracking down on worship service disruptions after the Cities Church storming
3. Oklahoma
Earlier this year, the Oklahoma Senate advanced Senate Bill 743, written by Sen. Todd Gollihare, R-Kellyville. Gov. Kevin Stitt signed the bill into law in February 2026. The measure aims to protect free speech and assembly rights while establishing parameters to protect churchgoers during worship services.
“Oklahomans should never have to choose between exercising their faith and feeling safe while doing so,” Gollihare said in a Feb. 5 statement. “Yet that is exactly what happens when worship services are deliberately targeted and turned into political battlegrounds.”
Gollihare said SB 743 became necessary following the January protest at Cities Church in Minnesota and another incident in March at his church, Blue Bell Freewill Baptist Church in Creek County, Oklahoma Voices reported earlier this year.
According to Gollihare, protesters who showed up at his church “admonished” him for voting against an abortion bill and called the pastor and church “demonic.” He also said a protester told one woman entering the church that she was a “witch,” and the pastor eventually called law enforcement after asking the demonstrators to leave multiple times.
The protesters later moved from the porch to another area and “harassed” people attempting to enter, the senator said, adding that some chose to go home instead of attending church that day.
Under SB 743, individuals within 100 feet of a place of worship must remain at least 8 feet away from people entering or exiting unless consent is given to approach.
While Gollihare described the measure as “a protection of worship bill,” fellow Republican Sen. Kendal Sacchieri called it “an extreme new law.” Sacchieri also expressed concern about the precedent it could set.
Samantha Kamman is a reporter for The Christian Post. She can be reached at: samantha.kamman@christianpost.com. Follow her on Twitter: @Samantha_Kamman
