Orthodox Jewish Groups Sue Cuomo Over New Covid-19 Restrictions

Cuomo announced heavy restrictions Tuesday on large sections of Brooklyn and Queens, many of which hold enclaves of Orthodox Jewish majority neighborhoods, after the test positivity rate in the hotspots jumped to 5%, while the remainder of the state averages around a 1% positivity rate.

The suit, brought by Agudath Israel of America and other groups, alleges Cuomo’s restrictions are unconstitutional and would deprive Orthodox Jews of their “religious worship and holiday observance.”

The new restrictions, which began Thursday, shut down recently opened schools and limits attendance at houses of worship to between 10-25 people, depending on the area.

Hundreds of members of the Orthodox community railed against the new restrictions Tuesday night, taking to the street in Brooklyn and attacking counter-protesters while shouting “Jewish Lives Matter,” waving Trump 2020 flags and burning piles of face masks in the street.

The chaotic demonstrations, led by local radio show host and New York City Council candidate Harold “Heshy” Tischler, continued Wednesday night, with Tischler rallying the protestors, shouting “We are at war! You are my soldiers!” according to the videos of the protests published by the Gothamist.