Litigation

Douglas County Reverses Decision to Bar Pipeline Opponents’ Participation at Earth Day Event

Victory for Free Speech and Anti-LNG Advocates

April 21, 2011 - Roseburg, OR – After an ACLU volunteer attorney contacted County Counsel Tuesday and County Commissioners heard testimony from upset pipeline opponents Wednesday, Douglas County changed course and will now allow anti-LNG activists to participate at the Douglas County Earth Day event this weekend in Roseburg.

I [Heart] Boobies

Student Challenges Ban on Wearing “I ♥ Boobies” Cancer Awareness Bracelets

March 3, 2011 - On the evening of September 26, 2010, Kevin Rueck, a junior at Milwaulkie High School, attended a home football game. While attempting to cross to the visiting team’s bleachers he was stopped by a Vice-Principal. During the ensuing conversation the school administrator noticed the “I ♥ Boobies” bracelet that Kevin was wearing and instructed him to take it off.

Powell's Books Inc., et al, v. John Kroger, et al

(formerly Powell's Books Inc., et al, v. Hardy Meyers, et al)
Booksellers, Publishers, Librarians and Others Challenge Censorship Law

September 20, 2010 - This morning, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit held that two Oregon statutes that criminalize distributing sex education and other non-obscene materials to minors are unconstitutional in violation of the First Amendment.

Moss v. Secret Service

ACLU Lawsuit Challenges Secret Service, Local Police Case Tied to 2004 Anti-Bush Demonstration

On August 4, 2010, U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Clarke issued his Report and Recommendations in Moss et al. v. U.S. Secret Service et al. In this class action suit the ACLU represents individuals and groups that protested outside the Jacksonville Inn on Oct. 14, 2004, while President Bush was dining at the inn.

Lenz v. Grant County

ACLU Files Challenge to Removal of Elections Worker

July 2010 - The ACLU of Oregon filed suit in U.S. District Court on behalf of a part-time Grant County elections worker who was told she would not be called in to work processing ballots in a recall election because she had signed a petition that led to the election.

Michele Darr, Capitol Protester

ACLU Defends Capitol Steps Protestors Against Trespassing Charges

UPDATE: July 2009 – On January 9, 2009, the Legislative Administration Committee adopted new “guidelines” that prohibit all activities on the Capitol steps between 11:00 PM and 7:00 AM, unless there are hearings or floor sessions in progress. The State Police then used these guidelines to cite Michele Darr and her fellow protestors Mark Babson, Teresa Gooch, Greg Cleland, and Margaret Morton for trespass.

Karuk Tribe v. Trimet

Judge Rules Against TriMet in Free Speech Case

TriMet's refusal to accept a bus ad involving salmon and dams violates constitutional free speech protections.

UPDATE: July 2009 – TriMet has appealed to the Oregon Court of Appeals. The parties have fully briefed the matter and are awaiting an oral argument date from the court.

Linn v. Silverton, Perry v. Winston

ACLU Settles Second Sign Ordinance Case

October 2006 - Joining our recent victory against the City of Winston for its unconstitutional sign ordinance is our successful lawsuit against the City of Silverton on behalf of Chris Linn.

Douglas County Jail Bans Newspapers for Inmates

July 20, 2005 - The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Oregon is pleased that Douglas County Sheriff Chris Brown has reversed a rule that prohibited jail inmates from receiving newspapers. The ACLU of Oregon sent a letter to Sheriff Brown, in May, requesting that he to lift this ban.

Oakley and the Lebanon School District

ACLU of Oregon Persuades Lebanon School District to Pull Ban on “Unnatural” Hair Color

June 9, 2005 - LEBANON, OREGON - The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Oregon applauds the Lebanon School District’s decision to rescind its policy against unnatural hair color.

FOIA

ACLU of Oregon's FOIA Request Reveals FBI Files

March 30, 2005 - In response to the ACLU of Oregon's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, the FBI has informed us that they do have documents on at least half of our clients named in the request.

Ricochet River

January 2005 - ACLU of Oregon congratulates North Clackamas School Board for keeping author Robin Cody's coming-of-age novel, Ricochet River, in the curriculum.

City of Nyssa v. Dufloth, State v. Ciancanelli

On November 4, 2003, the Oregon Supreme Court heard oral argument and took under advisement two free expression cases, State v. Ciancanelli, and City of Nyssa v. Dufloth. Both cases raise the most important free speech and expression issues that have arisen in Oregon in the last twenty years.