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PRESS RELEASE: CLDC Files Injunction Lawsuit against Federal Buildings

June 9, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Civil Liberties Defense Center Files Injunction Lawsuit against Federal Buildings

Caption: Lauren Regan speaks at the Eugene press conference on Tuesday, June 9

Eugene, OR – The Civil Liberties Defense Center (CLDC) has filed a civil lawsuit in federal court in Eugene, seeking an injunction and declaratory relief under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) against the General Services Administration (GSA).

In a blatant disregard for public access and First Amendment rights, the federal government constructed a tall metal fence around the Eugene federal building, blocking access to most of a popular public gathering space known as the Free Speech Plaza. This significantly limits the community’s ability to exercise their constitutional rights to free speech and assembly. A local interfaith group, Singing For Our Lives, and many other local activists have peacefully gathered and held vigils at least weekly at the Free Speech Plaza, with large gatherings at that location going back to the building of the Plaza in the 1970s.

One of the plaintiffs, Chris Rampala, shared: “As a nurse, proud union member, and Eugene local, I helped organize a vigil for our community to grieve the death of nurse Alex Pretti, who was killed by ICE agents in Minnesota. Hundreds peacefully gathered, brought flowers, and sang, to be in solidarity with the Minneapolis community. I will return and continue to exercise my First Amendment rights. The government cannot shut down the public square to silence our dissent.”

Marianne Dugan, CLDC’s lead attorney on this case, added, “Since the 1970s, Free Speech Plaza has served as the primary public gathering area in Eugene for free speech. This fence is a gross violation by the government of the community’s rights to free speech and assembly. I am proud to fight alongside the people of Eugene.”

The original complaint filed by CLDC can be viewed here:

20260604 complaint

The TRO can be viewed here:

TRO-PI PDFA

Black-and-white illustration of a barefoot person holding a flag reading “Support the Minnesota Fifteen.” Gardening tools, a guitar, books and black birds fill the foreground, with a city skyline behind them. Text below includes crimethinc.com and minnesota15.org.

This week, Lauren Regan heads to Minnesota to represent an organizer charged with federal conspiracy in connection with the Trump regime’s “metro surge” authoritarian propaganda in the Twin Cities. This Minneapolis 15  case is ongoing in federal court in Minneapolis this week.

In Prairieland, Texas, we represent a young activist charged in state court with hindering a terrorist prosecution for allegedly deleting Signal messages or users. They face a mandatory 15-year prison sentence.

We are also fighting the government’s demand to unmask an anonymous Reddit user who posted anti-ICE sentiments. The government has demanded our client’s identity, financial information and other confidential data. The judge denied our request to block the grand jury subpoena but paused that decision while we appeal. We submitted arguments on an expedited schedule and await the appeals court’s decision.

In New Jersey, we won dismissal of the claims against American Muslims for Palestine–NJ in USA v. PSL-NJ, AMP-NJ. The lawsuit, brought under the FACE Act, targets a street protest against illegal sales of Gaza land held partly at a synagogue. Zionists assaulted assaulted activists, but federal authorities went after the protesters and groups.

The claims against AMP are particularly frivolous: its only role was promoting the protest on social media. In September 2026, the court dismissed the claims against AMP but allowed the plaintiffs to revise them. We are confident they cannot repair the claims or that we will win dismissal again, with no further opportunity to revise.


These are among the cases CLDC is handling heading into November 2026.

Stop Cop City

The court dismissed the Georgia racketeering charges, but the state is appealing. Our client still faces a pending domestic terrorism allegation in DeKalb County.

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