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Goldman Says Cafe’s Hostile Post About Him Does Not Warrant Civil Rights Case
The New York Times • • nation
Key Points:
- Representative Dan Goldman, after being labeled unwelcome at a Brooklyn coffee shop due to his views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, stated he does not believe the incident merits a federal civil rights investigation.
- Poetica Coffee posted on Instagram condemning Goldman, calling him a racist and genocide enabler, though the Instagram account has since been deactivated while the Facebook post remains.
- The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, led by Harmeet Dhillon, is investigating the incident, and the group Lawfare has requested a New York City human rights investigation for alleged discriminatory denial of public accommodation.
- Goldman attributed some of the hostility to his political opponent, Brad Lander, accusing him of running an underhanded campaign and misrepresenting his stance on Israel; both candidates are Jewish with differing views on Israel’s military actions.
- Goldman expressed concern about the incident but emphasized that the Civil Rights Division should focus more on protecting members of the Jewish community who feel genuinely threatened.
