UNITED SIKHS Statement Regarding SACRED Act Proposed Legislation
April 2, 2026 | Washington, D.C.
The SACRED Act proposed legislation affirms a fundamental principle: that every person should be able to practice their faith freely, safely, and without fear. By establishing clear protections against harassment and intimidation near places of worship, the SACRED Act strengthens the promise of the First Amendment and ensures that access to religious spaces remains open and secure.
Bhupinder Kaur, UNITED SIKHS Director of Operations, emphasized why this measure matters:
More broadly, the bill provides important safeguards for all religious communities while safeguarding all First Amendment and civil rights.
It balances the right to peaceful expression with the need to protect individuals from intimidation, helping to uphold both civil liberties and community well-being.
While UNITED SIKHS supports the SACRED Act’s intent to safeguard worshippers, we have urged lawmakers to ensure the bill protects equally important civil rights freedoms. To that end, UNITED SIKHS has recommended that the legislation:
- Clarify definitions: Define “harassment” and “obstruction” narrowly to address threatening or violent conduct, while safeguarding peaceful protest and constitutionally protected speech.
- Embed enforcement safeguards: Ensure enforcement respects First Amendment rights and prevents disproportionate impact on lawful public expression or assembly.
- Establish law enforcement guidance: Require standardized reporting procedures, mandatory training on religious diversity and civil rights, equitable enforcement metrics, and accountability mechanisms to guarantee fair and transparent application of the law.
- Foster community engagement: Encourage collaboration between law enforcement, religious institutions, and civil rights organizations to develop preventive measures, public awareness initiatives, and rapid response plans.
- Advance public education: Launch awareness campaigns to help communities understand both their rights and responsibilities near places of worship.
UNITED SIKHS believes these recommendations will strengthen the bill’s intent to protect worshippers while upholding broader civil and constitutional rights.
About UNITED SIKHS
UNITED SIKHS is an international, non-profit humanitarian organization affiliated with the U.N., committed to empowering disadvantaged and minority communities across the globe. Its mission is to provide support and resources to those in need, advocating for equality, justice, and human rights. Through various humanitarian projects and advocacy efforts, UNITED SIKHS works to uplift vulnerable communities, aiming to make a lasting positive impact on the world.
For media inquiries or to support UNITED SIKHS’ legal advocacy efforts, please contact:
UNITED SIKHS Media Team
📧 contact@unitedsikhs.org
🌐 www.unitedsikhs.org
To contribute to our legal advocacy and humanitarian work, please visit: 🌐 www.unitedsikhs.org/donate
