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Justice Department files civil suit under FACE Act over violent protest at West Orange synagogue
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Summary
Assistant Attorney General Harmit Dhillon said the Justice Department filed a federal civil complaint under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE Act) against individuals who organized a violent protest that disrupted worship at a synagogue in West Orange, N.J.; the complaint seeks a broad injunction and DOJ said it is coordinating with the FBI and has not ruled out criminal charges.
The Justice Department has filed a federal civil complaint accusing individuals and organizations of organizing a violent protest that interfered with worship at a synagogue in West Orange, New Jersey, Assistant Attorney General Harmit Dhillon announced at a press conference.
Dhillon said about 50 protesters assembled without a permit, marched onto synagogue property, used vuvuzelas and other horns to drown out a memorial service and sermon, and that some named defendants—including Altaf Sharif, Eric Kamens and a Jane Doe—engaged in physically threatening conduct. "Sharif then charged at the Jewish worshipper," Dhillon said, and he described a choke hold lasting "over 20 seconds." The complaint seeks an injunction barring the defendants from interfering with worshipers or synagogues throughout New Jersey.
"We're here to talk about a lawsuit that we filed today, an important lawsuit regarding religious freedom under the FACE Act," Dhillon said, invoking the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act. He framed the filing as part of an effort to protect houses of worship from violence and intimidation, saying, "The practice of turning a blind eye to these attacks on houses of worship throughout the United States stops now." He added that the department is "not ruling out criminal charges in this case" and that criminal prosecution remains an option depending on the evidence.
Dhillon said the complaint includes screenshots and video that the department asserts show who engaged in physical assault versus who merely protested. He told reporters the department may name additional individuals during discovery.
Asked why the department used the FACE Act rather than a hate-crime statute, Dhillon replied that the FACE Act was intended to cover protest that crosses into obstruction and disruption at houses of worship and said the department will apply federal civil rights laws as Congress intended. Regarding other recent attacks on houses of worship, he said DOJ activates prosecutors and coordinates "with the FBI regarding that matter" when incidents occur.
Dhillon described the civil rights division as actively hiring career attorneys and noted recent enforcement actions across housing discrimination, hate-crimes and redlining matters. He said the division has been "among the most aggressive and productive" in the past six months and that this enforcement will continue.
The complaint and supporting exhibits can be made available, Dhillon said. The department has filed for a broad injunction; any judicial decision on the complaint will be made in federal court and is pending. Dhillon closed the briefing by directing follow-up questions to the Justice Department press office.
