Lawsuit accuses (Medford) Oregon police department of illegally monitoring progressive activists

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Lawsuit accuses Oregon police department of illegally monitoring progressive activists

Updated 9:25 PM EDT, August 20, 2024

MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) — The American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon is suing the city of Medford, saying its police department has been unlawfully monitoring progressive political activists who aren’t suspected of criminal activity.

City officials insisted they have not monitored the groups because of their views or constitutionally protected activities, but only to prepare for possible public safety impacts, such as traffic disruptions, conflicts between protesters and counter-protesters, and property damage.

In the early 1980s, after revelations that Portland police had routinely surveilled civil liberties, racial justice and other groups, the Oregon Legislature approved a law barring law enforcement agencies from collecting information about the political, religious or social views or activities of any individual or group unless it directly relates to a criminal investigation.

According to the lawsuit filed Tuesday in Jackson County Circuit Court, the Medford Police Department for several years has monitored the activities and social media accounts of people involved in an array of causes, including racial justice, LGBTQ+ and reproductive rights, preventing drug overdoses, and providing services for unhoused people.

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Read more: https://apnews.com/article/oregon-police-medford-activists-surveillance-9e4a7ca75505a608d944395fb288620a

[stopdiggin]

1. the 'survelliance" here appears to be looking at social media accounts

in relation to activities and events, possible protest actions. LE is probably in for criticism if they don't have at least some handle on this? There is also mention of keeping records (referenced to here as dossiers), in some cases of public speech and statements, on certain organizations. Potentially perhaps more problematic? But again - if this amounts to bookmarking a page where someone has made a public statement .. ? Or someone joining a Facebook group or following an Instagram account .. ?

- AP article - It alleges that the police department broke the law by monitoring or infiltrating social media accounts or groups for information about protests, including Black Lives Matter demonstrations following the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police in 2020 and a “Bans off our bodies” demonstration around the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision overturning the federal right to abortion in 2022.

Among the emails cited in the lawsuit were some showing that police monitored activists’ social media for information about the showing of a drive-in movie in conjunction with Juneteenth activities in 2020, amid broader demonstrations over Floyd’s death; about demonstrations concerning a COVID-19 outbreak at a local jail; and about any plans for protests related to the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade.

The lawsuit said public records showed police kept a “dossier” on the local nonprofit the Rogue Valley Pepper Shakers, which promotes LGBTQ+ and abortion rights, including screenshots of its Facebook page.

Other records included emails concerning Stabbin Wagon — an organization that advocates for and provides clean syringes, overdose reversal medication, and contraceptives to at-risk and unhoused residents — as well as public statements its founder Melissa Jones had made criticizing police raids on homeless encampments.

What we don't see here is any accusations of telephone tapping, tracking devices, or tailing people as they go to work or place of worship. I.e. - super-duper surveillance.