1/20/2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Christina A. Jump | MLFA Civil Litigation Department Head
We note that once again, the Attorney General’s office issued a press release prior to making any effort to contact AMP — or its known legal representatives — about this new step. The Attorney General chose not to communicate directly when sending its initial Civil Investigative Demand before issuing a press release, and followed that course again today.
Because of that, we could not immediately see the referenced enforcement action, and ccould not comment on it. Yet the Attorney General well knows that AMP timely filed its appeal of the underlying decision, as well as making timely requests for a stay of the enforcement. The only denial on that request for a stay of enforcement came not based on substance, but based on a question of which court is best suited to do that. Regardless, Virginia statutes allow for that stay and AMP already requested it. The appellate court has not ruled yet.
We will continue to pursue all legal actions which AMP may rightfully pursue — and its appeal of the underlying decision remains pending and undecided. The Attorney General’s office’s attempt to thwart AMP’s right to utilize the full legal process is both disappointing and premature.
AMP remains compliant with Virginia law today, and came into compliance within days of the Attorney General’s office first contact that it had omitted one of the necessary state-level forms— which, again, occurred via press conference and press release before anything else.
And no court, in any jurisdiction, has ever found that AMP has done anything wrong in its fundraising. It has not.
AMP is a fully U.S. nonprofit, which works within the United States to lawfully raise awareness of the rich history and culture of Palestine. AMP raises donations within the United States, for its own purposes and use within the United States.
Presumptions, unfounded implications and repetition of long unproven claims have no place in the scope of the Attorney General’s office, and the people of Virginia deserve better than that from their elected officials.
