Whether you are organizing, documenting, or participating in a protest, it is important to know your rights as a protest participant. It is also important to know your arrest rights in case you are arrested. The First Amendment protects your right to assemble and express your views through protest. However, police and other government officials are allowed to place certain restrictions on the exercise of speech rights as long as those restrictions are consistent with the law. Make sure you’re prepared by brushing up on your rights before heading out to protest.
The resources in the document below are provided by the ACLU of Oregon and includes resources developed by the national ACLU. This document also includes contact information for law firms and organizations in Oregon who aim to be accessible to support protestors who are detained while they are protesting. Please note that ACLU of Oregon, national ACLU, and law firms and organizations listed in this document cannot guarantee legal services, counsel, or representation.
Click here for a live list of protest and civil disobedience resources
If you are an attorney and would like to be added to this resource guide, please contact info@aclu-or.org.
*The ACLU of Oregon is not a direct legal service provider. We engage in “impact litigation” which usually means cases that have the ability to effect systemic change for a large number of people or move the law in the direction of a more just, equitable and caring democracy.
