Two women were arrested for allegedly shouting antisemitic remarks at a man wearing a traditional Jewish skullcap as he sat on a restaurant patio in Boise, Idaho.
The incident took place after Hannah Tucker, 28, and Crystal Grosenbach, 38, both of Boise, spotted the man sitting with a woman around 9 p.m. on Thursday, city police said.
The women began chanting and then allegedly directed antisemitic comments toward the man, who was wearing a yarmulke on his head.
Tucker and Gronsenbach left after arguing with the man, but returned a short time later and resumed yelling, according to police.
That prompted the man to get up and approach them, at which point Tucker held up her phone, which allegedly made contact with the man's nose.
Bystanders then intervened and the man returned to his seat, police said.
Officers arrived at the scene and an investigation led to felony charges of malicious harassment against the women, police said.
"This type of hateful behavior is unacceptable. Freedom of speech does not give anyone the right to break laws or target individuals based on their religion, race, or identity," Boise Police Chief Ron Winegar said in a statement.
In addition to the harassment charge, Grosenbach was also charged with misdemeanor resisting arrest, jail records show.
Tucker is under investigation in a June 9 graffiti incident at a Boise hotel with charges pending, police said.
Both women were released after being booked.
Their lawyer, Mike French, told local TV station KTVB: "It is our position that Hannah and Crystal are innocent of these charges, and we look forward to vigorously defending the case in court."
