Justice Department files civil rights lawsuit against protesters in clash at New Jersey synagogue

Federal officials have sued two pro-Palestinian groups and some demonstrators involved in a heated protest last year outside a synagogue in northern New Jersey, citing a law traditionally used to prevent people from blocking access to abortion and reproductive health clinics. The civil lawsuit filed Monday by the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division stems from a Nov. 13 demonstration outside Congregation Ohr Torah in West Orange, about 20 miles (32 kilometers) west of Manhattan. The suit claims the protesters interfered with the attendees' civil rights to exercise their religion, claiming they physically assaulted worshippers and used plastic horns known as vuvuzelas to disrupt the event, which initially was scheduled to be held at a private residence but was moved to the synagogue due to safety concerns.