Blog & Press Releases
Classical Gourd Guitar available
CLDC is offering a beautiful classical gourd guitar for sale. If you are interested in supporting CLDC and getting a beautiful hand made instrument as well, consider making an offer on it! Classical Gourd Guitar Classical guitar build from an organically grown Gourd,...
Historic Right to Protest Case Filed in Oregon
The Civil Liberties Defense Center, Safe Legally Entitled Emergency Places to Sleep (SLEEPS) and Occupy Eugene will host a press conference today to announce a second round of legal actions to challenge the unlawful exclusion, permitting requirements, and enforcement that violated citizens’ constitutional rights. The Federal civil rights complaint and related motion for an emergency preliminary injunction, filed against the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) cites violations of plaintiffs’ First and Fifth Amendment Rights, by enforcing permit and curfew restrictions at the Federal Plaza, a traditional public forum typically known as “the Plaza.” Currently protestors are demonstrating at the Plaza under threat of imminent arrest.
CLDC Goes To Texas!
CLDC attorney Lauren Regan will be representing the activists involved in the Tar Sands Blockade. Over 30 activists have been arrested for engaging in civil disobedience in attempts to thwart the multinational TransCanada XL Pipeline from destroying forests and the...
Celebrate Daniel McGowan’s Release From Prison
Daniel McGowan will be released from prison on December 11th. Daniel has spent years locked up in a Communication Management Unit, with his communications and contact with loved ones severely limited. It's so exciting that he's getting out! But prisoner support...
Another Anarchist Subpoenaed
Another Anarchist has been subpoenaed in the pacific NW, for more information please check out Will Potter's article in Green Is the New Red: CLICK HERE
Know Your Rights Training (Portland OR)
Lauren Regan will be giving a Know Your Rights Training in Portland at Lewis & Clark Law School. Date: November 12 Time: 6pm Location: The Co-Op on the Lewis & Clark College Undergraduate campus. See you there!
Grand Jury Resistance Panel
A panel discussion about the recent raids and subpoenas targeting activists in the Pacific NW Event is free, open to the public and disability affirmative! Grand Jury Resistance & Knowing Your Rights Forum September 7, 2012 7-9pm Traditions Cafe & World Folk...
Buy Your Tickets to the 7th Annual Harvest Feast on October 5th!
7th Annual Local Harvest Feast For Civil Liberties at Mt. Pisgah.
Grand Jury Resistance & Knowing Your Rights
A panel discussion about the recent raids and subpoenas targeting activists in the Pacific NW Thursday September 6th 2012 7-9pm Event is free, open to the public and disability affirmative 4312 SE Stark Street Portland, OR 97215-1646 Join your community allies for a...
Papadosio CLDC Benefit Poster
Autonomous Music is excited to announce our 2nd limited edition print with 100% of the proceeds being donated to the Civil Liberties Defense Center. These Papadosio posters, limited to an edition of 100, are signed and numbered by the band, and screen printed by hand...
Committee Against Political Repression
CLDC has signed the Solidarity Statement against the raids and Grand Jury (taken from nopoliticalprepression.wordpress.com): On Wednesday July 25th, the FBI conducted a series of coordinated raids against activists in Portland, Olympia, and Seattle. They subpoenaed...
Federal Government Denies Occupy Eugene Right to Protest
The U.S. General Services Administration Regional Director issued a letter of denial in response to a permit application submitted by Occupy Eugene members seeking to continue their public protest at the corner of 7th and Pearl Streets in Eugene, Oregon.
Even more offensive: regardless of whether a single person wishes to hold a sign, beat a drum, or simply stand in silent protest for an hour, the government is now demanding that these individuals first ask permission to exercise their constitutional rights.
On July 11, a member of Occupy Eugene received a citation with a brief arrest for continuing to exercise her right to be in the public space. CLDC will be fighting this citation in court.
Winnemem Wintu Hold Ceremony, Continue Fight
As a result of the incredible perseverance and unwavering commitment of the Winnemem Wintu tribe, along with the overwhelming show of solidarity that so many activists from around the country provided to the tribe, the tribe was finally able to hold their peaceful coming of age ceremony June 29 – July 3. The event occurred with minimal disruptions and harassment, with the exception of some encounters with the Forest Service and law enforcement, who gave the Chief a citation.
This is a major step, but the battle isn’t over. They need the Bureau of Indian Affairs to intervene to fully protect the site and the ceremony by recognizing the Winnemem Wintu as a federal tribe.
CLDC June Newsletter
This Spring Newsletter is one you will not want to miss. It includes updates on some of the most important courtroom decisions, some of the most frightening laws proposed and passed by the President and Congress, and some of the most inspiring successes of the Civil Liberties Defense Center and our allies. Join us in gearing up for an exciting summer by reading up on our springtime news!
Judge Forrest and the NDAA
Carl Mayer of CounterPunch discusses the decision of Judge Forrest, of the Southern District of New York in Manhattan, issued a ruling on May 16. He says that it will be regarded as a watershed moment in reversing a decade-long bi-partisan assault on civil liberties and the Constitution. Her honor took the extraordinary step of issuing a preliminary injunction and striking down as unconstitutional a provision of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would have allowed for the indefinite detention of United States citizens in military prisons without trial or counsel.
Renewed Threat of Exclusion Zone on Horizon
After nearly four years, Eugene’s Exclusion law banishing people from the downtown infringes on a variety of civil liberties, including those to freedom of movement, legal representation, and equal treatment under the law, but does little for public safety. The DPSZ ordinance is scheduled to sunset this fall. However, as it has several times before, the City Council simply plans to hold a new series of meetings to examine whether to extend the law.
The CLDC and Eugene community have repeatedly expressed outrage at the various hearings in the past. With your support, this pressure has helped deter the City from making the DPSZ permanent.
That is why it is crucial that we keep up the momentum and continue to speak out. This law does not represent the needs or wishes of Eugene!
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
The CLDC is encouraging activists and organizations to utilize the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act to request documents and materials that the FBI may have accumulated about you or the group you are active in. Not only will this information assist activist communities in learning about and preventing unlawful government spying, but it will also shed light on the extent of surveillance that has been undertaken in your community. Shine a light on FBI activities by exercising your lawful right to these documents and information.
FBI “Domestic Terrorism” Training Targets Anarchists, Environmentalists
This article by Will Potter, from Green is the New Red, tells a disturbing story. Newly released FBI presentations show the flawed and misleading information the government is using to train agents to identify and investigate “domestic terrorist” groups such as “black separatists,” anarchists, animal rights activists, and environmentalists.
First They Came for the Muslims
Chris Hedges writes on Truthdig.com about Tarek Mehanna, a U.S. citizen, who was sentenced in April in Worcester, Mass., to 17½ years in prison. Hedges says,”It was another of the tawdry show trials held against Muslim activists since 9/11 as a result of the government’s criminalization of what people say and believe.”
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