Glaser Weil Represents Wiesenthal Center in $5 Billion Farrakhan Lawsuit

The Simon Wiesenthal Center moved to dismiss meritless defamation claims for $4.8 billion by The Nation of Islam and its leader, Minister Louis Farrakhan, based on allegations that the Center called them antisemitic. Glaser Weil's Patricia Glaser and Julie Gerchik represented The Simon Wiesenthal Center and Rabbi Cooper.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center’s motion cites FBI statistics that while Jewish-Americans represent only 2.4% of Americans today, they account for approximately 60% of all religious-based hate crimes. “In their synagogues, their children’s Jewish day schools, their kosher markets, on college campuses everywhere, and in fact, just walking down the street, Jews in America today are under siege,” according to the motion. 

"The last two months have seen an exponential rise in antisemitism across the United States triggered by the tragedy in the Middle East. Using the courts to tie the hands of those speaking up against hate and bigotry is against the freedoms that define our nation,” said Glaser.

Julie Gerchik added, “Just as one should have the freedom to speak out against racism, sexism, homophobia and other reprehensible forms of hatred, all of us must be free to speak out against antisemitism without fear of reprisal.” The filing requests that the court dismiss the claims with prejudice.

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