Civil Liberties Defense Center

📢 We're Hiring! CLDC is looking to fill 2️⃣ new attorney positions! ➡️ Visit our website for the full job postings. 🤩 PLEASE SHARE! We're looking for the next generation of movement lawyers to join our award-winning expert litigation team. Think you've got what it takes?! We want to hear from you! Submit your application today for: 💠 Movement Staff Attorney 💠 James Murphy Hoopes Legal Fellowship https://lnkd.in/gt3BBA4F

💥 Great article in Wall Street Journal about how ICE is weaponizing social media platforms and what CLDC is doing to stop it! https://lnkd.in/gxCr97ii

👀 Check it out! A CLDC-style take on recent Supreme Court decisions 🧑⚖️ https://lnkd.in/gpKkSBVQ

🤔 What happens if the government doesn't like your social media posts? Find out in our latest blog on our Reddit, Inc. case, read it here: https://lnkd.in/gDw2GHsm

Proud of the important work our comrades are doing in Australia! ✊🏼❤️🔥

"Criminal justice is a health issue, and true community safety begins with care. Communities are safer when people have access to stable housing, behavioral health care, prevention, and community-based supports. That is the promise of alternative innovative programs that prioritize prevention and healing rather than incarceration. The California Endowment believes in this vision, and our work to build the @Robert K. Ross Center for Hope and Healing advances a care-first approach that invests in people, healing, and healthier communities." Brenda S., President & CEO, The California Endowment

EUGENE, OR – Today, in a resounding win for the First Amendment, the federal district court ordered the federal government to take down the fence around Free Speech Plaza within 48 hours. This is in response to the General Services Administration (GSA) erecting a tall barrier fence around Free Speech Plaza, reducing the 52,000 square foot community gathering space by almost 90%.   Less than three weeks after CLDC filed this constitutional challenge, Federal District Court Judge Mustafa Kasubhai ruled in favor of CLDC’s request for a preliminary injunction. In issuing the injunction, Judge Kasubhai ruled that the plaintiff activists had proved by “clear and convincing evidence” the fenced-off area is a “traditional public forum,” and that they have a strong likelihood of success in proving the government violated the First Amendment by erecting a fence that dramatically reduced the area to assemble and engage in free expression. The judge also found that the detailed testimony of six witnesses who took the stand clearly demonstrated ongoing harm to the plaintiffs’ and public’s rights.   “We are absolutely thrilled the court did right by Eugene residents. The federal Free Speech Plaza has served as an important public gathering area in Eugene for the community to exercise its First Amendment Rights for more than fifty years," stated Marianne Dugan, CLDC’s lead attorney on this case. "Today’s decision by Judge Kasubhai is the result of that community showing up and speaking out day after day. We are proud to fight alongside the people of Eugene.”   “Standing up to fascism, pushing back on the erosion of our rights, and defending the right to dissent is incredibly important right now," plaintiff Tyrras Warren emphasized after the ruling was announced. "We took a stand against the closure of Free Speech Plaza and are heartened that the Court agreed with us -- the fence will come down immediately and we will resume the exercise of our constitutional rights, and we will continue to watchdog ICE in solidarity with our immigrant neighbors.”   CLDC will hold a press conference tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. at Federal Free Speech Plaza, 211 E. 7th Ave., Eugene, OR 97401. The conference speakers will include CLDC attorneys and clients.     The original complaint can be viewed at https://lnkd.in/gQdywh9z https://lnkd.in/gzgKRKpK

We had a great turnout on Tuesday announcing our new federal lawsuit to protect Free Speech Plaza in Eugene, with community leaders and several media outlets! PRESS RELEASE: CLDC Files Injunction Lawsuit against Federal Buildings | Civil Liberties Defense Center https://lnkd.in/dpb6SjmF

"'They started with an administrative summons, which does not indicate a criminal investigation, and then progressed to the grand jury subpoena, which does,' said Lauren Regan, an attorney representing a social media user who posted criticism of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Reddit. The move, she added, 'is further proof that this is a bad faith attempt to unmask the user.' Regan, a co-leader of the Civil Liberties Defense Center, said some of her client’s posts were as simple as 'expletive ICE.' The subpoena doesn’t specify the post or posts that caught the government’s attention, but Regan said she suspects it was one that appeared to reference the ICE officer who shot Minnesota protester Renee Good and where the official had lived. It’s not clear to her what laws the government is alleging were broken by the comments." https://lnkd.in/gAE_Du6w

🫣 Repression is hastening. Activists are being surveilled, targeted, and charged for doing nothing more than exercising their constitutional rights. The difference between liberation and incarceration comes down to whether or not they have a lawyer in their corner. An attack on one is an attack on all. With CLDC in their corner - the chances that movements can prevail grow exponentially. And we can only do it because of supporters like you. 💔 Right now is hard - we get it. Asking for money is never our favorite, but we know our flock is strong - and we don’t stand alone. 🫂 Please donate if you can, or share with 5 friends! We’ve got your back https://lnkd.in/gaegKRwc