New Hampshire Department of Justice Secures Accountability and Admission of Violations by NSC-131 Defendants in Civil Rights Case

Concord, NH - Attorney General John M. Formella announces that the Department of Justice has submitted a Final Decree resolving the State's civil rights enforcement action against Christopher Hood, Nationalist Social Club-131 (NSC-131), and associated defendants for their conduct outside Teatotaller Café in Concord on June 18, 2023.

Under the Final Decree, the defendants admit that they violated New Hampshire's Law Against Discrimination by attempting to coerce, intimidate, or compel a place of public accommodation to engage in unlawful discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity.

The resolution follows nearly three years of litigation by the Attorney General's Civil Rights Unit to enforce New Hampshire law and hold accountable those who violate the rights of others. As a result of the litigation, NSC-131 has ceased operations in New Hampshire and has been unable to carry out further public activities in New Hampshire. The Court's Final Decree now permanently prohibits Hood, NSC-131 and the other defendants from engaging in unlawful discriminatory conduct in the State.

"This case is about one simple principle: the law applies equally to everyone, and every person is entitled to equal protection under the law," said Attorney General John M. Formella. "No individual or organization has the right to threaten, intimidate, or coerce a New Hampshire business into violating the law or denying lawful access based on protected characteristics. The defendants have admitted their conduct violated New Hampshire's Law Against Discrimination, accepted significant court-ordered consequences, and are permanently prohibited from future unlawful discriminatory conduct. This resolution delivers accountability and sends the message that organized hate group activity that violates the law will not be tolerated."

Under the Final Decree:
• Hood must pay a $10,000 civil penalty (the maximum fine permitted by law), with $7,500 suspended conditioned upon compliance with the Court's order.
• Hood must complete 250 hours of community service with an organization approved by the State.
• All defendants are permanently ordered to cease and desist from unlawful discriminatory practices.
• All defendants are permanently prohibited from future unlawful discriminatory practices and future unlawful hate- or bias-motivated conduct.
• All defendants are permanently prohibited from knowingly approaching within 250 feet of any Teatotaller Café location or contacting any owner or employee of the business.
• The Merrimack County Superior Court retains jurisdiction to enforce the Final Decree.

The Attorney General's Civil Rights Unit filed the enforcement action after alleging that members of NSC-131 gathered outside Teatotaller Café during a drag queen story hour event in an effort to intimidate the business into denying equal access based on protected characteristics. The complaint alleged that defendants surrounded the business, obstructed access, shouted homophobic slurs, banged on café windows, displayed anti-LGBTQ+ signs, and engaged in other conduct intended to intimidate patrons and disrupt the event.

In October 2024, the Merrimack County Superior Court denied the defendants' motion to dismiss, finding that the State had sufficiently alleged violations of New Hampshire's Law Against Discrimination and rejecting the defendants' constitutional challenges. Following further litigation, including discovery proceedings in which the State prevailed, the defendants accepted the Final Decree resolving the case.

"This resolution confirms that this Office will not hesitate to enforce New Hampshire's civil rights laws to the fullest extent possible to protect the public from harm and to hold those who violate the civil rights of others accountable," said Senior Assistant Attorney General Sean R. Locke, Director of the Civil Rights Unit. "Through admission of statutory violations, meaningful remedies, and permanent protections to prevent future unlawful conduct, the Final Decree recognizes the significant violation of civil rights that occurred and hold Hood, NSC-131, and the other defendant accountable for their actions."

The Civil Rights Unit enforces state civil rights laws, including the Civil Rights Act and the New Hampshire Law Against Discrimination. Anyone who believes their civil rights have been violated may file a complaint at https://www.doj.nh.gov/bureaus/civil-rights-unit or by calling 603-271-3650.