News Release
For Immediate Release: 3.24.26
Contact: Natalie Konstans, media@firstliberty.org
Direct: 972-941-4453
California Christians and Jews Ask Federal Court for Protection After Attacks by Violent Agitators
Disruptors targeted three worship services, intimidating worshipers by shouting vulgar messages, threatening their safety, and blocking entrances and exits.
Carlsbad, CA—Attorneys with First Liberty Institute and Jones Day filed a motion for preliminary injunction on behalf of The Mission Church and The Christian & Jewish Alliance, an interfaith organization in the San Diego area, seeking protection from hostile agitators affiliated with Code Pink who have disrupted several worship services. Both the Church and the Alliance have suffered ongoing persecution as they seek to bring churches and synagogues together for worship and prayer. They are seeking legal protection together for their religious gatherings.
You can read the brief seeking a preliminary injunction here.
“We at The Mission Church simply want to be able to worship and support our local Jewish community without fear or intimidation,” said Pastor JC Cooper. “It’s of the utmost importance that our congregation feels safe in our house of worship, and that our Jewish neighbors feel safe as we stand with them.”
“I formed the Christian & Jewish Alliance in the wake of the October 7 massacre, because I refused to believe that Jews were truly alone,” said Liat Cohen-Reeis. “Yet these attacks have made me feel even more alone. We will not stop gathering together for worship, but we need court protection to do so safely.”
“Every American should be free to attend the worship service of their choice without fear of violence, disruption, and threats,” said Jeremy Dys, Senior Counsel for First Liberty Institute. “Agitators who obstruct, intimidate, and interfere with constitutionally protected religious services should be held accountable to the law.”
The Mission Church in Carlsbad, CA, believes that Christians should support Jewish neighbors and the nation of Israel. In March 2025, the Church hosted a Jewish speaker with many Jewish guests and church members in attendance. Posing as guests, disruptors infiltrated the worship service, yelling epithets until they were escorted out. More protestors lined up inches outside the door, calling church members “Nazis” and yelling “Mission Church, you can’t hide! We charge you with genocide!” On Easter Sunday, the same disruptors should vulgarities through a bullhorn and held bloody signs with pictures of dismembered babies, directly across from where church members’ children engaged in Easter activities in the parking lot.
On September 7, the same disruptors blocked entrances and blared ear-splitting sirens for three hours at an interfaith worship event hosted by the Christian & Jewish Alliance. They hit worshipers’ cars, called them “baby-killers,” pushed a Jewish guest into a busy street, and refused to leave even after the police arrived.
In their lawsuit filed in November 2025, attorneys cite the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (“FACE”) Act, which protects places of worship and individual worshipers from the types of aggressive activity demonstrated by this hostile group. At least three of the named defendants are local leaders for Code Pink San Diego, which is known for its antisemitism.
Pastor JC Cooper and Liat Cohen-Reeis also testified before the President’s Religious Liberty Commission in February 2026.
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About First Liberty Institute
First Liberty Institute is a non-profit public interest law firm and the largest legal organization in the nation dedicated exclusively to defending religious freedom for all Americans.
To arrange an interview, contact Natalie Konstans at media@firstliberty.org or by calling 972-941-4453.
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