Image: @AAGDhillon/X
On Monday, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a lawsuit against pro-Palestine protestors who allegedly targeted a synagogue in New Jersey in 2024.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon will use the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, the same act that the Biden administration used to target pro-life activists.
Today, @CivilRights filed a FACE Act lawsuit against violent groups that intimidated and disrupted Jewish worshippers at their synagogue.
Attacks on houses of worship are illegal, and @TheJusticeDept will not tolerate interference with Americans’ First Amendment rights. pic.twitter.com/1TyiHHwlUA
— AAGHarmeetDhillon (@AAGDhillon) September 29, 2025
AG Dhillon shared during a press conference, “The practice of turning a blind eye to these attacks on houses of worship throughout the United States stops now.”
“Today, we announced the filing of a civil complaint against individuals and organizations who organized and carried out a violent protest that interfered with a religious event and obstructed worshippers at congregation Ohr Torah Synagogue in West Orange, New Jersey, last year.”
“These violent protestors meant their actions for evil. But we will use this case to bring forth good, the protection of all Americans’ religious liberty.”
“Let me summarize what happened in this incident last November. About 50 protestors, including the defendants, organized a mass protest and assembled illegally without a permit, gathering near a Jewish worshipper’s home before moving towards congregation Ohr Torah Synagogue in West Orange, New Jersey.”
“Some of the protesters carried in blue Vuvuzelas, horns capable causing hearing damage while shouting at Jewish residents as they passed their neighborhoods. The group marched onto synagogue property, blowing the Vuvuzelas and shouting to drown out a memorial service and a Torah sermon.”
“Defendants Altaf Sharif and Jane Doe blew Vuvuzelas within inches of a Jewish worshipper’s ears. Sharif then charged at the Jewish worshiper. When another worshiper intervened with pepper spray, defendant Eric Kamens pointed at the worshiper and shouted, ‘the Jew is here,’ prompting Sharif to place the worshiper in a chokehold lasting over 20 seconds.”
“Even after the police ordered the mob off synagogue grounds, they continued shouting threats, including, ‘You can’t hide,’ and ‘You’re next.’”
“These actions constitute interference with protected religious worship in the United States and obstruction of access to the synagogue, which is illegal under the FACE Act.”
“Our complaint seeks to join the defendants from interfering with worship at synagogues or obstructing worshippers from synagogues throughout New Jersey, the fullest reach of the United States district Court, in which we’re filing this complaint.”
Watch:
NEW: Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon announces a FACE Act complaint against protestors who targeted a New Jersey synagogue in Nov. 2024.
“The past administration only applied the FACE Act civil enforcement penalties to silence pro-life protestors while ignoring the… pic.twitter.com/cowE4KhRt7
— Katelynn Richardson (@katesrichardson) September 29, 2025
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