Legal Background
The ALAA, a United Auto Workers local representing lawyers and legal advocates, was sued in federal court in July 2024. The dispute arose after Kopmar, Clarke, and Altman sought a temporary restraining order in November 2023 to block the adoption of a pro-Palestine resolution, which passed in December 2023. The resolution called for an end to Israeli apartheid and the occupation and blockade of Palestinian land and endorsed an economic boycott of Israel.
The attorneys claimed that after filing their TRO bid, the ALAA attempted to expel them in retaliation — labeling them “snitches” and “Zionist ghouls” — violating the LMRDA, New York State and City Human Rights Laws, and Title VII.
U.S. District Judge J. Paul Oetken dismissed the Title VII and state and city bias claims in July but allowed the LMRDA retaliation allegations to proceed. The judge noted that political speech on a matter of public concern could not be deemed discriminatory unless it directly targeted the attorneys.
