DOJ Weaponizes Anti-Abortion Law (FACE Act) to Sue Pro-Palestinian Protesters Over West Orange Synagogue Disruption.
WEST ORANGE, NJ – The U.S. Justice Department has filed a civil lawsuit against pro-Palestinian organizations and individuals, alleging they engaged in violence and intimidation during a heated protest outside Congregation Ohr Torah last November. The lawsuit, filed on September 29th in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, marks a significant and novel use of a federal law—the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE Act)—that has traditionally been associated with blocking access to abortion clinics.
The core of the complaint is that the protestors interfered with the attendees’ civil rights to exercise their religion, including disrupting a ceremony honoring a deceased rabbi.
Allegations of Violence and Vuvuzelas
The lawsuit names two organizations—American Muslims for Palestine New Jersey and the Party for Socialism and Liberation in New Jersey—and several individuals. It alleges that on November 13th, the protest outside the West Orange synagogue involved:
- Physical assaults on worshippers.
- Use of vuvuzelas (plastic trumpets) as a means of disruption and even injury, blown inches from attendees’ ears to drown out the religious service.
- Physical obstruction of access to the synagogue property.
“No American should be harassed, targeted, or discriminated against for peacefully practicing their religion,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Today’s lawsuit underscores this Department of Justice’s commitment to defending Jewish Americans — and all Americans of faith — from those who would threaten their right to worship.”
The FACE Act: A First-of-Its-Kind Application
The FACE Act of 1994 prohibits the use of force, threat of force, or physical obstruction to interfere with people at either reproductive health centers or houses of worship.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon of the Civil Rights Division confirmed that this marks the first time the Justice Department has used the law to allege interference specifically with religious worship. This action aligns with a broader push by the administration to combat alleged antisemitism and violence targeting houses of worship. The DOJ seeks a court order barring the named groups from using force or obstruction to interfere with worshippers at any New Jersey house of worship.
A Clash of Narratives and Counter-Charges
The incident stems from a protest targeting a real estate fair promoting the sale of homes in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. The event was moved to the synagogue after credible threats to the original location at a private residence.
The West Orange event sparked dueling narratives:
- Protesters claim they were harassed and assaulted by counter-protesters. The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office filed charges against two pro-Israel counter-protesters, one for aggravated assault and one for bias intimidation.
- One of the charged individuals, Moshe Glick, who had relocated the original real estate event from his home, argues the DOJ lawsuit affirms that “the real violations were committed by those who intimidated, blocked and attacked a member of the community in front of a synagogue.”
The organizations named in the civil lawsuit have declined to comment on the specific allegations.
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