Amanda Luci has filed a lawsuit against the City of New York and unnamed police officers, alleging that her constitutional rights were violated during a protest. The complaint was submitted to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York on November 21, 2025. Luci accuses the NYPD of biased policing based on protesters' viewpoints, claiming this led to her being attacked by a mob while police officers stood by without intervening.
The incident occurred on April 24, 2025, near the Chabad-Lubavitch World Headquarters in Brooklyn, where Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir was speaking. Known for his controversial views and past convictions related to racism and terrorism against Arabs, Ben-Gvir's presence sparked protests. Luci claims she was not initially part of the protest but went to observe after hearing a commotion. Upon arrival, she was targeted by counter-protesters who believed she supported Palestinian rights due to her attire.
Luci alleges that despite being surrounded and harassed by an aggressive crowd, NYPD officers failed to protect her. Instead, they allegedly allowed the situation to escalate until she was physically assaulted. She argues that this inaction reflects a broader policy within the NYPD of policing protests based on political viewpoints, which discriminates against those perceived as opposing Israel or supporting Palestine.
The lawsuit highlights previous instances where pro-Palestine protesters faced violence or arrest while right-wing demonstrations received leniency from law enforcement. Luci contends that NYPD training fosters bias against certain political views, citing sessions conducted by organizations like the Combat Anti-Semitism Movement (CAM), which allegedly promote anti-Arab sentiments among officers.
Luci seeks compensatory and punitive damages for violations of her First Amendment rights to free speech and assembly, as well as her Fourteenth Amendment rights to due process and equal protection under the law. She also demands accountability for negligence on behalf of the police officers involved.
Represented by attorney Leo Glickman from Stoll, Glickman & Bellina LLP, Luci's case is filed under Case ID 1:25-cv-06461 with Judge Kaz Daughtry presiding over it.
Source: 125cv06461_Luci_v_City_of_New_York_Complaint_Eastern_District_New_York.pdf