The Justice Department today filed a lawsuit against Fathi Abdulrahim Harara and Native Grounds LLC, the owners of the Jerusalem Coffee House in Oakland, California, alleging that the establishment discriminated against Jewish customers in violation of Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, accuses the defendants of implementing policies and practices that denied Jewish customers the full and equal enjoyment of the coffee house’s services and accommodations. Title II of the Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, or national origin in places of public accommodation.
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“It is illegal, intolerable, and reprehensible for any American business open to the public to refuse to serve Jewish customers,” stated Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Through our vigorous enforcement of Title II of the Civil Rights Act and other laws prohibiting race and religious discrimination, the Justice Department is committed to combatting anti-Semitism and discrimination and protecting the civil rights of all Americans.”
The complaint details two separate incidents where Harara allegedly ordered Jewish customers to leave the coffee house. In both instances, the customers were reportedly identified by their baseball caps adorned with Stars of David.
During one incident, an employee allegedly told a Jewish customer attempting to make a purchase, “You’re the guy with the hat. You’re the Jew. You’re the Zionist. We don’t want you in our coffee shop. Get out.” In another alleged incident, Harara reportedly confronted a Jewish customer and his five-year-old son, accusing the father of wearing a “Jewish star,” being a “Zionist,” and supporting “genocide.” Harara allegedly demanded they leave and falsely accused them of “trespassing” to the Oakland police. The lawsuit emphasizes that neither customer had expressed any political views to Harara or any other employees while at the coffee house.
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The lawsuit further alleges that the Jerusalem Coffee House introduced two new drinks on the one-year anniversary of the October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel: “Iced In Tea Fada,” an apparent reference to “intifada,” and “Sweet Sinwar,” seemingly referencing Yahya Sinwar, the former leader of Hamas. Additionally, the complaint states that the coffee house’s exterior side wall displays inverted red triangles, a symbol the Justice Department identifies as associated with violence against Jews and found spray-painted on Jewish homes and synagogues during anti-Semitic attacks.
Under Title II, the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division can seek injunctive relief to change discriminatory policies and practices. However, the division is not authorized to obtain monetary damages for victims of discrimination under this statute.
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