DOJ sues protesters accused of interfering with Jewish event at synagogue

The Washington Post ^ | September 29, 2025 | Perry Stein

[KingofZion]

Justice Department officials filed a civil complaint Monday against protesters and advocacy organizations who they allege threatened and intimidated Jewish worshipers outside a synagogue in West Orange, New Jersey, in November.

The lawsuit was brought under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, or Face Act, which has historically been used to charge people who block access to abortion clinics.

Harmeet K. Dhillon, the head of the Justice Department’s civil rights division, criticized the Biden administration’s use of the federal law and said she was invoking a provision that prevents people from using force or intimidation to interfere with a person’s right to worship.

The civil suit Monday marks the first time that the Justice Department has used the Face Act against people accused of blocking access to places of worship...

“The practice of turning a blind eye to the attacks on house of worships throughout the United States stops now,” Dhillon said...

According to the lawsuit, about 50 protesters disrupted a religious event at the synagogue Congregation Ohr Torah. The event was originally expected to take place at someone’s home, but it was relocated to the synagogue because of credible threats. The event “focused on the Jewish obligation to live in the Land of Israel,” the lawsuit states, and was billed as an “Israel real estate fair and ‘Ruach’ (Spiritual) event.”

The defendants used the vuvuzelas as “weapons to drown out the religious service, making it impossible for worshipers to hear the memorial service and Torah sermon, effectively denying access to the event,” the lawsuit reads....

Prosecutors did not seek criminal charges, though Dhillon said she has not ruled that out. The suit names two groups — Party for Socialism and Liberation New Jersey and American Muslims for Palestine - New Jersey — and three individuals.

[KingofZion]

I was not a big fan of Harmeet (having seen her in action locally) but she is doing a bang up job at main justice, maybe the best of the lot there.

[God luvs America]

Love it!!!! Stick it right back at them!!!

[frank ballenger]

Remember when the organized crime law RICO was used, astonishingly, against Christians who worked to end abortions?

[If You Want It Fixed - Fix It]

Use a horrid law that was used against prolifers to go after someone else is not justice, it is furthering evil.

Lynch them antisemites without a trial, just let the mob do it....like in the South.....when the hung a Catholic priest for marrying a mixed race couple.

Regressives.

[If You Want It Fixed - Fix It]

Use a horrid law that was used against prolifers to go after someone else is not justice, it is furthering evil.

Lynch them antisemites without a trial, just let the mob do it....like in the South.....when the hung a Catholic priest for marrying a mixed race couple.

Regressives.

[Bubba_Leroy]

The lawsuit was brought under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, or Face Act, which has historically been used to charge people who block access to abortion clinics.

It was ONLY used by the Autopen to prosecute Christians for peacefully protesting abortion clinics.