ADC Responds to DOJ’s Retaliatory Investigation of Poetica Coffee Owner Over Protected Political Speech

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 8, 2026
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WASHINGTON, D.C. | The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) sent a response to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) on behalf of Poetica Cafe owner, Parviz Mukhamadkulov, making clear that DOJ’s investigation raises grave First Amendment concerns and appears to be an unconstitutional effort to punish protected political speech.

DOJ’s June 23 letter stated that the investigation was prompted by Mr. Mukhamadkulov’s public statement criticizing Representative Dan Goldman’s voting record and his support for Israel’s military conduct in Gaza, and indicating he would not be welcome in Poetica in the future. DOJ has attempted to mischaracterize those statements as Title II discrimination the basis of race, religion, or national origin. ADC’s response explains that those statements addressed a matter of public concern and fall at the core of First Amendment protection, and have nothing to do with unlawful discrimination under the Civil Rights Act.

Furthermore, Rep. Goldman was not refused service at Poetica. The Congressman publicly acknowledged that he was served, and that he doesn’t believe DOJ action is warranted. Despite that, DOJ opened an investigation and issued demands seeking information about Mr. Mukhamadkulov, Poetica employees, and internal operations.

“DOJ is mischaracterizing Mr. Mukhamadkulov’s criticism of a congressman’s voting record as unlawful discrimination warranting federal investigation and potentially enforcement,” said ADC President and Legal Director, Jenin Younes. “The First Amendment does not permit the government to punish people for criticizing elected officials or expressing constitutionally protected political views. Civil rights enforcement exists to protect people from legitimate cases of discrimination. It must not be twisted into a weapon against dissent, and that is why ADC is stepping in to defend Mr. Mukhamadkulov’s First Amendment rights.”

The letter further warns that government investigations and threats of enforcement can violate the First Amendment when used to punish or chill protected speech. Public statements by DOJ officials explicitly threatening enforcement action only reinforce the concern that the investigation was launched to silence Mr. Mukhamadkulov’s criticism of Rep. Dan Goldman’s stance on Israel and his support for the genocide in Gaza. 

“Poetica does not discriminate. Jewish customers – and people from every background – have always been welcome in our shops. But we cannot allow the federal government to intimidate me into silence for opposing Israel’s genocide in Gaza or criticizing a politician’s record,” said Parviz Mukhamadkulov, owner of Poetica Cafe. 

Since DOJ’s targeting became public, Mr. Mukhamadkulov and his family have faced serious threats of violence, resulting in police investigations and criminal charges. ADC’s letter states that Mr. Mukhamadkulov provided responses to DOJ’s requests as a courtesy, but did not waive any First Amendment rights or potential legal claims.

“The government should be protecting civil rights, not endangering people by amplifying bad-faith smears and treating political criticism as unlawful discrimination,” Younes added. “ADC is prepared to take legal action to protect Mr. Mukhamadkulov’s rights and to stop this kind of unconstitutional overreach.”

About ADC

The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) is the largest Arab American grassroots organization in the United States, founded in 1980 by former Senator James Abourezk.  ADC’s mission is to defend and promote the human rights, civil rights, and liberties of at least 3.7 million Arab Americans residing in the United States. Through its work, ADC fights discrimination, enhances public understanding of Arab history and culture, and partners with marginalized communities globally to advance social justice.