Posted on 07/24/2020 2:50:52 AM PDT by Libloather
Portland, Oregon - A federal judge specifically blocked U.S. agents from arresting or using physical force against journalists and legal observers at the ongoing Portland, Oregon, protests that have sparked confrontations between local officials and President Trump over the limits of federal power.
U.S. Judge Michael Simon made his ruling late Thursday, a day after Portland's mayor was tear-gassed by federal agents as he made an appearance outside a federal courthouse during raucous demonstrations. Protesters have gathered in Oregon's largest city for nearly two months straight since George Floyd was killed in Minneapolis.
**SNIP**
Judge Simon had previously ruled that journalists and legal observers are exempt from police orders requiring protesters to disperse once an unlawful assembly has been declared. Federal lawyers intervened, saying journalists should have to leave when ordered.
"This order is a victory for the rule of law," Jann Carson, ACLU of Oregon's interim executive director, said in a statement.
The judge said objections by law enforcement were outweighed by First Amendment concerns.
"None of the government's proffered interests outweigh the public's interest in accurate and timely information about how law enforcement is treating" protesters, he wrote.
Simon's order is in effect for 14 days. Journalists and observers must wear clear identification, he said. A freelance photographer covering the protests for The Associated Press submitted an affidavit that he was beaten with batons and hit with chemical irritants and rubber bullets this week.
(Excerpt) Read more at cbsnews.com ...
There is no legal distinction for “journalists.” Any citizen can be one.
Since when does a judge have the authority to supersede an order from the president or direct the actions of federal agents or dictate policy?
The mayor was NOT tear gassed. There was “drift”. And he had no business being there “agitating” the protesters to violence.
Exactly.
When a soyboy antifa loser gets pummeled, he now can claim he’s a “journalist “
Ignore the judge’s order. Uphold the law.
They're present to make sure no one breaks the law. So far, they really suck at it.
Obama appointment. Nuff said.
It is impossible to obey such a ridiculous order in the middle of a riot. Anyone who disobeys an order from a law enforcement officer is subject to arrest.
This is the order of a tyrant.
U.S. Judge Michael Simon was appointed by Barack Hussein Obama in 2011, joined the law firm of Perkins Coie in 1986 where he specialized in business litigation in both state and federal court and acted as head of litigation for the firm's Portland office, and is married to Democratic U. S. Representative Suzanne Bonamici.
Demonrat Stalinazi black-robed tyrant “ruled.” Now you go out in the street and enforce your ruling, Judge Sugartits.
I have more than 90,000 posts to my name on FR. I’m as much a journalist as anyone else on this planet. It’s good to be exempt.
The judge has no concept of what is coming right now and his authority will be ignored. He may find himself arrested too.
“Journalists” and “Protests”. They might not mean what you think they mean. Please refer to the Newspeak Dictionary.
BS, if they do not break the law fine.
If they break the law and start destroying shit, these communist supporters should be gassed, beat and hauled off to an undisclosed location..
Simple Simon says.
That order is not what they went in for!
Odunga Judge
Hey judge neither the urinolists or you are exempt from the law. Your ruling should be flushed like TP OR turds like you.
more evidence these are DEM-controlled “protests” and the FakeNewsMSM are PARTICIPANTS, with few exceptions.
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