As AFN explains, these agitators are accused of interfering with Christian and Jewish worship services. Kayla Toney, an attorney of First Liberty Institute, spoke with AFN about the circumstances of the lawsuit.
"We represent The Mission Church in southern California and the Christian and Jewish Alliance," says Toney. "They have both had multiple worship services be disrupted by the same group of hostile agitators that are affiliated with Code Pink."
According to First Liberty, the first disruption was in March during a worship service at the church. Toney said the disruptors pretended to be guests and sat in the audience where they later "jumped up and started screaming at various intervals" during the presentation and interrupting the service.
"They had to be escorted out kicking and screaming," informs Toney. "Then, they lined up outside the door of the church and terrified everyone as they were trying to leave and get to their cars."
According to Toney, the same disruptors returned on Easter Sunday when they blared sirens and shouted vulgarities at children who were doing Easter activities in the parking lot.
"The third event was in September, and this was hosted by the Christian and Jewish Alliance at sort of an outdoor amphitheater worship space," explains Toney. "It was really a beautiful event, but the disruptors blared these imitation police sirens for three hours during the entire event, and they also blocked guests from accessing the parking lot."
One of First Liberty's clients revealed that someone jumped on the roof of her car and screamed at her, banging on the windshield. Toney said it made the client very afraid to even come to the event altogether.
First Liberty filed the federal lawsuit Tuesday in the southern district of California. First Liberty is bringing claims under the FACE Act. While it may be known more for its protection of people outside abortion clinics, the FACE Act also protects houses of worship from interference, intimidation, and obstruction when someone is trying to exercise their freedom of religion.
That, said Toney, is exactly what happened here with the three aforementioned events.
"We think it's a pattern of targeting and harassment," says Toney. "So, we are seeking federal remedies from the court, including a protective restraining order as well as some damages really to just deter these individuals from coming back to harass our clients."
AFN sought comment from Code Pink. A spokeswoman said they were not yet aware of the lawsuit and cited a general policy of not commenting on any ongoing litigation.
