WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Hamilton Lincoln Law Institute (HLLI) filed a lawsuit today in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia concerning the February 1, 2024 blockade of several intersections leading into Washington, D.C. This was a coordinated effort by several groups demonstrating against the existence of the state of Israel.
HLLl’s client, Dan Faoro, was among the victims. He was stuck in his car for close to an hour, with no idea when he would be able to continue his commute into work. He eventually navigated out of traffic and returned home. Also, other travelers were forced to miss work or other appointments. Police arrested 23 activists and removed the blockades, eventually allowing Faoro to navigate out of traffic and return home.
The client brings his complaint as a class action on behalf of himself and thousands of others falsely imprisoned in their cars or otherwise displaced by the blockade. The case defends the rights of citizens unlawfully impeded by anti-Israel, pro-Hamas groups engaging in illegal acts of obstruction rather than peaceful protest. HLLl’s legal team seeks damages and a court injunction to prevent future disruptions like this.
The suit names several defendants, including:
- Jewish Voice for Peace, Inc. d/b/a Occupation Free DC
- Dissenters
- WESPAC Foundation, Inc.
- Palestinian Youth Movement
- Harriet’s Wildest Dreams, Inc.
- Dornethia “Nee Nee” Taylor
- Party of Socialism and Liberation
- Brian Becker
- Maryland2Palestine
- Hannah Shraim
- 23 John and Jane Does
HLLI may name additional defendants as the lawsuit progresses.
Some of the individuals who blocked traffic chained themselves together in the middle of highways to blockade traffic, and others used PVC piping attached over their arms to form human chains to further block roads.
Many of the individuals held signs that said, “Free Palestine” or “From the River to the Sea, Palestine Must be Free”, and chanted slogans including ”Free Free Palestine”, “The Occupation Has Got to Go”, “We Don’t Want No Jewish State”, and “If We Don’t Get It, Shut It Down!”
“Unlawful traffic blockades that trap innocent citizens in their cars are not a form of protest-they are acts of aggression. We are determined to hold accountable those who use intimidation and obstruction to push their agenda, and we will fight to protect the rights of Americans who were unjustly targeted by these disruptive, antisemitic actions.” said HLLI President, Anna St. John.
Affected individuals, including commuters, business owners, and emergency services, should consider contacting HLLI if they were injured by “anti-Zionist” traffic blockades on other dates. HLLI is dedicated to advocating for those whose daily lives were disrupted by anti-Israel activists’ unlawful actions.
This is the second lawsuit HLLI has filed against pro-Hamas protesters. Our first, Manhart v. National Students for Justice in Palestine, was filed on September 10, 2024 in The United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
The name of the case is Faoro v. Jewish Voice for Peace Inc. et al., No. 1:25-cv-00289 (D.D.C.).
For more information about this case, please see our complaint, our case page or contact the attorney below:
Anna St. John, President, (917) 327-2392, anna.stjohn@hlli.org.
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The Hamilton Lincoln Law Institute is a public interest law firm dedicated to battling the progressive left’s agenda by defending civil liberties, countering government overreach, and fighting class action abuse.
As a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization as defined by section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, HLLI relies on support from individuals and foundations that share a commitment to individual liberty, free enterprise, and limited government. To learn more, visit http://www.hlli.org.