§ 3631. Violations; penalties

Whoever, whether or not acting under color of law, by force or threat of force willfully injuries, intimidates or interferes with, or attempts to injure, intimidate or interfere with—

• (a) any person because of his race, color, religion, sex, handicap (as such term is defined in section 3602 of this title ), familial status (as such term is defined in section 3602 of this title ), or national origin and because he is or has been selling, purchasing, renting, financing, occupying, or contracting or negotiating for the sale, purchase, rental, financing or occupation of any dwelling, or applying for or participating in any service, organization, or facility relating to the business of selling or renting dwellings; or
• (b) any person because he is or has been, or in order to intimidate such person or any other person or any class of persons from—
  • (1) participating, without discrimination on account of race, color, religion, sex, handicap (as such term is defined in section 3602 of this title ), familial status (as such term is defined in section 3602 of this title ), or national origin, in any of the activities, services, organizations or facilities described in subsection (a); or
  • (2) affording another person or class of persons opportunity or protection so to participate; or
• (c) any citizen because he is or has been, or in order to discourage such citizen or any other citizen from lawfully aiding or encouraging other persons to participate, without discrimination on account of race, color, religion, sex, handicap (as such term is defined in section 3602 of this title ), familial status (as such term is defined in section 3602 of this title ), or national origin, in any of the activities, services, organizations or facilities described in subsection (a), or participating lawfully in speech or peaceful assembly opposing any denial of the opportunity to so participate—