Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 14 March 2025

These updates are shared to help raise the situational awareness of Faith-Based organizations to best defend against and mitigate the impacts from all-hazards threats including physical security, cybersecurity, and natural disasters. 

Church worship services disrupted by protesters, prompting security concerns 

The WTTV article reports that church worship services in Orange County, Florida, have been disrupted by protests. At least four churches, including Joy Metropolitan Community Church in Orlando, have been targeted by demonstrators since November. The protests have involved individuals entering church services, with a particular focus on churches that support LGBTQ+ rights or are led by female pastors. The disruptions have raised concerns about security, as there are worries the protests may escalate. Churches are now implementing increased security measures to protect congregants.  

Analyst Comments: It is important to remember “See Something, Say Something” approach to encourage proactive reporting of suspicious activities. We continue to see Houses of Worship targeted with suspicious behavior, and earlier this morning have updated the FB-ISAO Slack Workspace with information about a new SAR from Northern California, titled “Concerning Behavior Towards Priests and Church Members.” 

Protesters arrested after storming Trump Tower to demand release of Mahmoud Khalil 

On March 13, 2025, nearly 100 protesters, organized by the human rights group Jewish Voice for Peace, gathered inside Trump Tower in New York to protest the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and Columbia University graduate student. Khalil was detained by ICE after his involvement in pro-Palestinian demonstrations. The protesters, wearing red shirts with slogans like “Jews Say Stop Arming Israel,” chanted for Khalil’s release and unfurled banners. Ninety-eight individuals were arrested, but there were no injuries or property damage. The protest is tied to broader concerns about the Trump administration’s actions against foreign students and pro-Palestinian movements. Khalil, currently in ICE custody, faces ongoing legal battles, with his supporters arguing his detention is retaliation for his activism.  

Analyst Comments: It is important to monitor protests that may escalate, particularly those that target high-profile locations like Trump Tower. This incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing tensions around pro-Palestinian movements. The detention of Khalil, in addition to announced investigations into antisemitism at universities across the U.S. is likely to re-invigorate Israel/Palestine related protests.  An increase in protest activity has the potential to impact houses of worship, but also could lead to individuals being targeted due to their faith.  

Tips for Preparedness, Peaceful Protesting, and Safety 

FBI Denver Warns of Online File Converter Scam 

The FBI Dever Field Office has issued a warning about a rising scam involving free online file converters. Cybercriminals are using these tools, which promise to convert or merge files to secretly install malware on victims’ computers. The malware can lead to ransomware attacks or identity theft by stealing personal information like social security numbers, banking details, and passwords. Victims often do not realize their systems are compromised until it’s too late. The FBI advises using up-to-date antivirus software, reporting incidents to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complain Center, and taking steps to protect one’s financial and personal information.  

Analyst Comments: There is a growing threat posed by online file converter scams, which are increasingly being used as a method to deliver malware, including ransomware and data theft tools. This highlights the need for heightened awareness and caution when using free online services. It is important to monitor trends in cybercrime related to file conversion tools and always verify the legitimacy of website before downloading or uploading sensitive files. 

Steps to Protect Data Safely