ACLU of Oregon Files Lawsuit Against Use of Federal Agents in Portland

The Oregon chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has filed a lawsuit in Federal Court against the City of Portland, the Department of Homeland Security, and the U.S. Marshals Service. The filing opposes the presence of, and actions taken by, Federal Agents during the ongoing protests in Portland, specifically as pertains to the treatment of members of the media and civilian oversight.

From The Hill:

“The ACLU’s lawsuit seeks to block federal law enforcement from dispersing, arresting, threatening to arrest, or using physical force against journalists or legal observers. The group says the move is one of many suits it will be filing for “unconstitutional attacks” on protesters in the city.

“This is a fight to save our democracy,” Kelly Simon, interim legal director with the ACLU of Oregon, said in a statement. “Under the direction of the Trump administration, federal agents are terrorizing the community, risking lives, and brutally attacking protesters demonstrating against police brutality.

“These federal agents must be stopped and removed from our city,” Simon added. “We will continue to bring the full fire power of the ACLU to bear until this lawless policing ends.”

The plaintiffs in the case include The Portland Mercury and individual journalists and legal observers who say they were attacked by law enforcement. The lawsuit adds federal agencies to an existing complaint filed last month against local law enforcement.”

The lawsuit in question is Oregon Federal District 3:20-cv-01035 : ‘Index Newspapers LLC, et al v. City of Portland et al’. A copy of the filing can be viewed HERE.

UPDATE: From the ACLU:

7/23/2020 – “U.S. District Judge Michael Simon today blocked federal agents in Portland from dispersing, arresting, threatening to arrest, or targeting force against journalists or legal observers at protests. The court’s order, which comes in response to a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon, adds the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Marshals Service to an existing injunction barring Portland police from arresting or attacking journalists and legal observers at Portland protests.”

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