In a press release and at a news conference (video) the Justice Department announced that for the first time it has filed a civil complaint under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act against organizations and individuals who, in 2024, targeted a New Jersey synagogue in a protest that escalated into violence. The complaint (full text) in United States v. Party for Socialism and Liberation New Jersey, (D NJ, filed 9/29/2025), alleges in part:
28. The event at Congregation Ohr Torah was to include prayer, a religious memorial service for the late Rabbi Avi Goldberg, a Torah sermon, religious songs with biblical verses, prayerful dancing, educational activities about the religious obligation to live in Israel, a real estate fair, and a festive barbecue in the synagogue’s parking lot—all part of the religious observance....
73. Defendants Sharif and Jane Doe used 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. Blowing vuvuzelas to disrupt a religious event is not protected speech, as blowing a vuvuzela does not convey a message and was used by Defendants Sharif and Jane Doe as a method of physical harm, intimidation, and disruption reasonably known to lead to permanent noise-induced hearing loss....
75. Motivated by antisemitic animus, Sharif charged at Glick with intent to cause serious bodily harm and, after Camins identified Silberberg as “the Jew,” assaulted Silberberg by grabbing his throat, placing him in a chokehold, tackling him down a hill, and further dragging him across the synagogue property....
The suit seeks injunctive relief, compensatory damages and civil penalties.
Washington Examiner reports on the lawsuit.
As reported by NorthJersey, in February the Essex County, New Jersey, prosecutor filed criminal charges of bias intimidation, aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon against the pro-Israel counter protesters at the event who are alleged to be the victims in DOJ's complaint.
