ACLU Wins in Federal Court to Protect Portland Protestors
ACLU, with the help of the Federal Court, gain a temporary restraining order to protect protestors from federal officers.
Since the murder of George Floyd sparked protests across the world, the Trump Administration has taken a “law and order” stance, sending federal agents to disrupt peaceful protests through means of excessive violence, such as tear gas and rubber bullets. In Portland, Oregon, where city officials have released statements in opposition of federal agents acting violently to stop protests, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has taken the issue to federal court defending the first amendment of the United States Constitution.
Federal agents in Portland, Oregon, can’t attack or arrest journalists and legal observers.
Today’s court ruling is a victory for our democracy, and we’re just getting started. https://t.co/DFVQqech7C
— ACLU (@ACLU) July 24, 2020
U.S. District Judge Michael Simon honored the first amendment by stopping federal agents from using any threatening force against journalists and legal observers, including unlawfully seizing any equipment used for observing protests, such as recording devices. “This order is a victory for the rule of law. Federal agents from Trump’s Departments of Homeland Security and Justice are terrorizing the community, threatening lives, and relentlessly attacking journalists and legal observers documenting protests. These are the actions of a tyrant, and they have no place anywhere in America,” interim executive director of the ACLU of Oregon, Jann Carson expresses about the court ruling held on July 23.
As protests continue to fight for racial equality and to reimage law enforcement, organizations such as ACLU stand in partnership to keep the civil liberties for all Americans. Founded 100 years ago, ACLU has won many federal and supreme court cases and keeps the Bill of Rights aligned with modern society.
Powerful moment in Portland on night 56 of protests against police brutality. https://t.co/bPmENFrNY3
— ACLU of Oregon (@ACLU_OR) July 24, 2020
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