Vandalism of Religious Sites Now a Felony in Alaska

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On Tuesday, Governor Mike Dunleavy signed House Bill 238 into law, making vandalism of religious sites a Class C felony in Alaska. The signing took place at the Lubavitch Jewish Center of Alaska, where recent antisemitic incidents highlighted the need for stronger protections.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Andy Josephson, D-Anchorage, addresses intentional acts of vandalism against religious institutions, including churches, synagogues, and mosques. “This requires more than an accident,” Josephson stated, emphasizing the law targets deliberate harm to religious sites.

Rabbi Yosef Greenberg, who witnessed antisemitic vandalism at the Jewish Center, welcomed the new law, stating it could serve as a deterrent to future attacks. Rabbi Mendy Greenberg added that the law addresses societal “illnesses” and expressed hope it would prevent further acts of hate.

The law elevates such offenses from a misdemeanor to a felony, with penalties including up to five years in prison and fines up to $50,000. This shift reflects Alaska's commitment to safeguarding its diverse religious communities from hate crimes.