Judge restrains federal agents from targeting journalists and legal observers during Portland protests

9:24 PM

  • A US District Court judge ordered federal agents on Thursday not to target journalists and legal observers of nightly protests in downtown Portland.
  • The protests were sparked over George Floyd's death after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes in late May.
  • Testimony from several journalists covering the protests in Portland raised "serious questions" about US Department of Homeland Security and US Marshal Service agents possibly targeting journalists.
  • "None of the government's proffered interests outweigh the public's interest in accurate and timely information about how law enforcement is treating protesters," Judge Michael H. Simon said.
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PORTLAND, Ore. – A US District Court judge ordered federal agents on Thursday not to target journalists and legal observers of nightly protests in downtown Portland over George Floyd's death after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes in late May.

Judge Michael H. Simon said in a temporary restraining order that the principles of open government demand members of the press be allowed to cover law enforcement without retaliation or targeting. The case, brought by journalists, news outlets, and the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon "tests whether these principles are merely hollow words," Simon said.

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