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demmiblue

(36,920 posts)
Thu Jun 28, 2012, 12:57 PM Jun 2012

Snyder OKs jail for disrupting religious service

Gov. Rick Snyder has signed legislation making it a misdemeanor to disrupt a religious service in Michigan.

The governor's office said Wednesday that the new law includes a sentence of up to 93 days in jail and a $1,000 fine for disrupting a worship service. The law increases the possible fine to $5,000 for repeat offenders.

First-time offenders could also face up to 100 hours of mandatory community service, while repeaters could get up to 200 hours.

Snyder says freedom of religion deserves government protection because it's "one of the founding principles of this country."

http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/Snyder-OKs-jail-for-disrupting-religious-service/-/1719418/15329194/-/la0t67/-/index.html


The text of the bill:

<snip>

A PERSON SHALL NOT DO ANY OF THE
6 FOLLOWING:
7 (A) ENTER OR ATTEMPT TO ENTER ANY PRIVATE PROPERTY WHERE THE
8 PERSON KNOWS PEOPLE ARE MEETING OR ARE INTENDING TO MEET IN THE
9 PURSUIT OF THEIR FREE EXERCISE OF RELIGION WITH THE INTENT TO
10 DISRUPT THAT MEETING.
11 (B) AFTER BEING INSTRUCTED TO LEAVE, REMAIN ON OR ATTEMPT TO
1 REMAIN ON ANY PRIVATE PROPERTY 1 WHERE THE PERSON KNOWS PEOPLE ARE
2 MEETING OR ARE INTENDING TO MEET IN THE PURSUIT OF THEIR FREE
3 EXERCISE OF RELIGION WITH THE INTENT TO DISRUPT THAT MEETING.
4 (C) INTENTIONALLY OBSTRUCT OR ATTEMPT TO OBSTRUCT THE ENTRANCE
5 TO OR EXIT FROM ANY PRIVATE PROPERTY WHERE THE PERSON KNOWS PEOPLE
6 ARE MEETING OR ARE INTENDING TO MEET IN THE PURSUIT OF THEIR FREE
7 EXERCISE OF RELIGION WITH THE INTENT TO DISRUPT OR PREVENT THAT
8 MEETING.
9 (2) A PERSON WHO VIOLATES THIS SECTION IS GUILTY OF A
10 MISDEMEANOR PUNISHABLE AS FOLLOWS:
11 (A) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (B), BY 1 OR MORE OF THE
12 FOLLOWING:
13 (i) IMPRISONMENT FOR NOT MORE THAN 93 DAYS.
14 (ii) A FINE OF NOT MORE THAN $1,000.00.
15 (iii) NOT MORE THAN 100 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE.
16 (B) IF THE PERSON HAS PREVIOUSLY BEEN CONVICTED OF VIOLATING
17 THIS SECTION, BY 1 OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING:
18 (i) IMPRISONMENT FOR NOT MORE THAN 93 DAYS.
19 (ii) A FINE OF NOT MORE THAN $5,000.00.
20 (iii) NOT MORE THAN 200 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE.
21 Enacting section 1. This amendatory act takes effect September
22 1, 2012.

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2011-2012/billconcurred/House/pdf/2012-HCB-5560.pdf
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Swede Atlanta

(3,596 posts)
1. Did I miss something but was this a problem in Michigan?
Thu Jun 28, 2012, 01:03 PM
Jun 2012

Here in Georgia I have never had a problem with anyone interrupting religious services at my church or when I have attended synagogue with one of my Jewish friends. I haven't attended a Muslim service.

I have a hard time imagining this was such as big problem that it required a law.

Denninmi

(6,581 posts)
4. Can I say "1% Corporatist Douchebag Governor and Rabidly Insane Teabagger Legislators"???
Thu Jun 28, 2012, 01:10 PM
Jun 2012

Because that rolls off my tongue a lot these days.

Pathwalker

(6,600 posts)
5. Oh, feel free. Thet's a lot nicer than the words I use.
Thu Jun 28, 2012, 01:13 PM
Jun 2012

Hey, 'm still hoping Mittens chooses him as his VP candidate.

Hassin Bin Sober

(26,370 posts)
6. It's probably more likely going to protect Muslim services.
Thu Jun 28, 2012, 01:15 PM
Jun 2012

I can't wait for the poutrage if that happens.

No fan of any religion here but the biggest oppressors of other people's religious beliefs are the christian fundies who embrace such a stupid law.

demmiblue

(36,920 posts)
9. Apparently, this bill was born from a single incident that took place in 2008:
Thu Jun 28, 2012, 08:28 PM
Jun 2012

"State Rep. Deb Shaughnessy, R-Charlotte, says she's reacting to an incident in 2008 at Mt. Hope Church in Delta Township, west of Lansing. Items were thrown at people, and fire alarms were activated." State Rep. Shaughnessy (R, of course) is the bill's sponsor.

Yep, a single incident.

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