Daniel Fischer: Getting off easy after terrorizing a Connecticut Synagogue

Daniel Fischer of New Haven, Connecticut has been granted “accelerated rehabilitation”  after he and co-defendant Gregory Williams terrorized an event at a Connecticut synagogue on May 12.

Fischer has been ordered to stay away from Westport's Temple Israel and not to contact anyone from the synagogue.  If the 18 month long program and 25 hours of community service are successfully completed, the charges against him will be dismissed.  Both Fischer and Williams are currently free on $1,500 bond.

Gregory Williams, 25  has an existing criminal record, and was not eligible for the program. He has been charged with criminal trespass first-degree and breach of peace second-degree, and will return to court on Oct. 15.

 From WestportNow

An attorney for Temple Israel, Bruce Koffsky, who was present in court, submitted a letter from the Temple supporting Fischer’s AR request.

The letter outlined the events of May 12, in which some congregants huddled under luncheon tables or fled the synagogue in panic as Fischer and Williams began shouting and banging on a door as they sought to enter a dining hall. 

“Mr. Fischer should be made to understand that his ‘political’ stunt caused panic and fear for both Temple Israel’s staff and guests and has caused Temple Israel to increase its security precautions – and as a result, its expenses,” the letter said. “This was not a victimless crime.”

The letter continued: “We say all the above with the understanding that Daniel Fischer has no criminal record, appears to be eligible for the AR Program and has been charged with misdemeanor offenses.

“That being the case, Temple Israel does not object to the granting of the AR Program for Mr. Fischer provided he engage in substantial community service where he can put his passionate support for the less fortunate to better use.

“Additionally, we would respectfully request that additional conditions of the defendant’s AR be that he not enter or go on Temple Israel property, not contact Temple staff or congregants and that he not attempt to participate in Temple Israel activities.”

Suspects who stormed Westport synagogue appear before Judge

Anti- Israel activists Daniel Fischer  and Gregory Williams, arrested for disrupting last week’s luncheon at Westport Connecticut’s Temple Israel, appeared before Judge William Wenzel in Norwalk Superior Court to face charges of criminal trespass first-degree and breach of peace second-degree. Both suspects were represented by Bridgeport attorney Eugene Riccio.

The incident led to the lockdown of local schools, and caused several terrified people to flee the premises.

Daniel Fischer, 25, of 93 Osborn Ave., New Haven  asked for accelerated rehabilitation which  if completed, would expunge his record.  Gregory Williams pleaded not guilty, opting to go to a jury trial.

Wenzel set their court date for July 21.

UPDATE:
There is now a petition circulated by various hate groups calling these 2 thugs "Jewish anti apartheid activists" and claiming their voices were silenced.

The petition reads:

The Temple's actions reflect longstanding attempts to silence those who stand up to Israel's ongoing campaign of terror and dispossession against the Palestinian people.
We call on State's Attorney David I. Cohen to drop all charges against Fischer and Williams.
Daniel Fischer and Gregory Williams spoke truth to power. Let their example inspire others to do the same.
The office for State's Attorney David I. Cohen has no email. To demand justice for Fischer and Williams, please call 203-965-5215.

Daniel Fischer  and Gregory Williams terrorized a community, and now they are playing victims. Talk about chutzpah.

Westport, Connecticut: "This did not feel like political protest. This felt like terrorism."

The bucolic town of Westport Connecticut experienced a shock last month, when a synagogue event was stormed by 2 anti-Israel activists, prompting a congregant to cry  "This felt like terrorism". Several schools, including  Coleytown Middle School, Coleytown Elementary School, the pre-school at the Unitarian Church and the Temple Israel Nursery were placed under lockdown while the situation unfolded. 

Anti-Israel activist Daniel Fischer

Anti-Israel activist Gregory Williams

From Stephanie Bass, reported in the Police Report On Temple Israel Confrontation: 

In the middle of speeches, there was a loud disturbance. I couldn't tell how many people, but they were banging on the door to the room, yelling either "Justice for the Palestinians" or "Freedom for the Palestinians." There were 80 women in the room. People started screaming "Get down!" and "Call 911!" Women ran to the back of the room, or ran out a back door.

The "Palestinian" ranting went on. I was waiting for the machine gun fire. First I thought, I could die today; then I thought if many people die today, I don't want to be one of them.

I'd been in Israel during the '73 war. I thought of Newtown and that movie theater in Colorado. I dove under the table. After a few minutes, the Israeli Brigadier General grabbed my hand. She said it was okay to come out; personnel at the temple had subdued the men.

This did not feel like political protest. This felt like terrorism.

For their role in terrorizing the people of Temple Israel, Daniel Fischer and Gregory Williams, both 25 years old, and residents of  New Haven have been charged with 1st degree criminal trespass and breach of peace 2nd degree

Gregory Williams is a student at Yale University's Divinity School and Daniel Fischer is a "community activist" with the Middle East Crisis Committee.

Sen. Toni Boucher called on Yale "to condemn and take the strongest possible action regarding this student. The Divinity program should be a model for peace, tolerance and understanding of all religions in the often hostile world we live in."