Attorney General Chris Carr has filed an amicus brief in support of a lawsuit under the Anti-Terrorism Act by survivors of the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack and families of those killed by Hamas. The lawsuit aims to hold AJP Educational Foundation, Inc., also known as American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), and the National Students for Justice in Palestine (NSJP) accountable for allegedly providing material support to Hamas, a designated foreign terrorist organization. AMP and NSJP have requested that the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia dismiss the lawsuit.
Carr and 21 other attorneys general argue in their brief that dismissing these claims before discovery would undermine victims' ability to receive compensation and prevent organizations like AMP and NSJP from being held accountable.
“All options must be made available to ensure that victims of international and domestic terrorism are protected and justice is served,” said Carr. “In Georgia, we’re working to strengthen our laws to include criminal penalties for those who collaborate with Hamas and other designated foreign terrorist organizations. We’re proud to support the survivors of the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack and the families of those brutally murdered by Hamas, and we will continue to stand against antisemitism wherever it occurs.”
The brief asserts that the Anti-Terrorism Act was designed to provide a civil cause for victims of international terrorism, allowing them to seek monetary damages from those who provide material support to terrorist groups. In this case, it may be the only legal recourse for plaintiffs against AMP and NSJP.
The lawsuit claims AMP’s material support for Hamas has persisted through its predecessor organizations like Holy Land Foundation (HLF) and Islamic Association of Palestine (IAP), whose board members were convicted of providing millions of dollars in material support to Hamas.
Leaders from HLF and IAP formed AMP after those organizations dissolved. There is no evidence that AMP, NSJP, or their affiliates have ceased activities similar to those conducted by their predecessors. The lawsuit alleges they continue engaging in propaganda and recruitment efforts on behalf of Hamas.
Hamas’ charter calls for supporters to engage in communication efforts on its behalf. Following the October 7 attack, Hamas leadership urged international supporters to rally. NSJP responded by releasing a "Day of Resistance Toolkit," which allegedly instructs members on how to continue supporting Hamas.
Carr is joined in filing this brief by attorneys general from Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska North Dakota Oklahoma South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Virginia West Virginia