FILE- (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
NEW JERSEY- A New Jersey man says he would not provide services to prospective clients who are Jewish.
According to Attorney General Matthew Platkin, a Notice of Violation has been issued against Melquisedec Francis — who is based in Paterson who, on at least three occasions, advertised his services on social media but stated that he would not work with Jewish patrons.
In one post Francis said he is expressing his solidarity with Palestinian people “until the war in Gaza is resolved.”
The flagged content was posted on the TaskRabbit website, and on other platforms.
“Anyone who discriminates others based on religion, national origin, ancestry, or race is breaking the law in New Jersey,” Platkin said. “There is no justification for denying services to members of the public based on antisemitism, Islamophobia, or any other kind of discrimination, and we are committed to holding anyone who engages in discriminatory practices responsible.
“I am currently not offering my services to the Jewish Community,” Francis wrote. “That being side, if I have, in some way, shape or form, offended you, your country, or your people, my dear Jewish Community, that was and is not my intention.”
Officials say the law “prohibits places of public accommodations from discriminating on protected characteristics such as religion and race.”
