In response to an anti-ICE protest at a church service in St. Paul, Minnesota, state Rep. Tex Fischer introduced legislation to increase the criminal penalty for those convicted of disturbing a lawful meeting of religious worship from a misdemeanor to a felony.

“This sort of thing is not at all appropriate,” said Fischer, R-Canfield. “People can peacefully protest, but they crossed the line when they disrupted a church service. I’m worried about this becoming a trend.”

Fischer’s bill, which is co-sponsored by state Rep. Johnathan Newman, R-Troy, would make a conviction for disturbing a lawful meeting of religious worship increase from a first-degree misdemeanor to a fifth-degree felony.

In Ohio, first-degree misdemeanors are punishable by up to 180 days in a county jail and a $1,000 fine while a fifth-degree felony carries a maximum sentence of 12 months in state prison and a $2,500 fine.

Three people were arrested

Sunday in St. Paul by federal agents, accused of disrupting a church service. They objected

to a pastor — one of eight at the church — who is acting director for Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s field office in St. Paul.

Joined by several other protesters, three people were arrested for chanting “ICE out” and “Justice for Renee Good.” Good and another Minnesota resident were killed by federal immigration agents during ICE’s presence in the state that has led to protests.

Gov. Mike DeWine recently said that ICE agents could be in Springfield, Ohio, as soon as next week.

While three people were arrested by federal agents for the demonstration at the church, a U.S. appeals court rejected the Justice Department’s efforts to charge five more people.

Fischer said he is concerned that the church service demonstration in St. Paul will become a trend and he wants to make sure people feel safe worshiping in Ohio.

“We see videos where people harass congressmen in restaurants, and then it gets repeated,” Fischer said. “I’m concerned it will creep into churches. We want to address it before it becomes an issue in Ohio. We want to continue to permit people to practice their First Amendment right of freedom of religion without being harassed.”

Fischer added: “We cannot allow our country to be a place where families fear they may face harassment or see their religious services disrupted by activists attempting to score political points while attending church on a Sunday morning. Our state should not tolerate this behavior and must stand strong in protecting the rights of Ohioans of all faiths to freely practice their religion.”

Fischer said the legislation should be given a House committee assignment shortly.

“I’m hoping with the timeliness of it that my colleagues feel compelled to move on it,” he said.