CONCORD – 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 shouting slurs and engaging in the Nazi salute intimidating patrons outside the Teatotaller Café in Concord on June 18, 2023, according to a news release from Attorney General John Formella.
The state found members of NSC-131, a white supremacy Neo-Nazi group, gathered outside the Teatotaller Café, now called Totally Tea and Coffee, downtown during a drag queen story hour event on Father’s Day morning that year 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,” the release said.
Under the Final Decree, the defendants admit 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.
They agreed to a $10,000 fine with $7,500 suspended, to cease operations in New Hampshire and perform 250 hours of approved community service. Hood and his attorney couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.
Emmett Soldati, owner of the cafe, said: “We are pleased with the result and grateful for the AG’s pursuit of this case. None of the actions of this (or any) white supremacist group has deterred us from continuing to provide a cafe and venue for all to enjoy.
“But it’s always important to support/stand in solidarity with those who are targeted by organized hate.”
This comes after 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, the release said.
“This case is about one simple principle: the law applies equally to everyone, and every person is entitled to equal protection under the law,” Formella said. “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, all defendants are also 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.
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.