Media Coverage: Civil Rights Litigation Filed by Stoel Rives and ACLU in Portland Highlighted in National Reporting

With assistance from Stoel Rives’ pro bono team, the ACLU filed a civil rights lawsuit in Portland on Wednesday, August 26 (Pettibone v. Trump, 20-cv-01464), alleging excessive use of force against and illegal detentions of protesters in Portland, Ore.

Plaintiffs in the lawsuit include three military veterans, a college professor, Black Lives Matter protestors, a man who alleges he was abducted off the street for no reason, and two groups that have organized protesters. Many of the individual plaintiffs allege that they were injured at the protests by the agents.

The lawsuit seeks to protect the constitutional rights of the Plaintiffs, including the right to peaceful assembly, freedom of speech, and freedom from unwarranted seizures by the government, and to protect the Rule of Law.

The lawsuit has generated extensive media coverage, including the following:

ACLU sues over federal action in Portland, Oregon, protests – AP, New York Times, Washington Post

ACLU files lawsuit for Portland protesters, military veterans against Trump administration – USA TODAY

Navy veteran at center of viral Portland protest video sues Trump administration – CNN

Oregon ACLU announces suit against Pres. Trump, Homeland Security – KATU2

ACLU of Oregon files lawsuit against officers, Trump for ‘excessive force’ used in Portland – Oregon Public Broadcasting

Portland Protesters Who Were Beaten, Snatched Into Unmarked Rental Vans Sue Trump, Department of Homeland Security – Willamette Week

Portland Protesters Sue Trump Administration Over Abuse by Federal Officers – Portland Mercury

The ACLU Oregon press release can be found here.