Rights of Protesters

All Cases

12 Rights of Protesters Cases

Energy Transfer LP v. Greenpeace International, Unicorn Riot
Minnesota Supreme Court
Jul 2025

Rights of Protesters

Energy Transfer LP v. Greenpeace International, Unicorn Riot

This case in the Minnesota Supreme Court asks whether the MFFIA's protections apply to newsgatherers even if they are alleged to have engaged in trespassing while newsgathering. The ACLU’s State Supreme Court Initiative, alongside the Ƶof Minnesota and law firm Biersdorf & Associations, filed a brief representing Unicorn Riot, a media organization that covered protests of the Dakota Access Pipeline. The brief argues that MFFIA and constitutional reporter’s privileges, under both the U.S. and Minnesota constitutions, protect Unicorn Riot from having to comply with Energy Transfer’s subpoenas.
Explore case
Energy Transfer Lp V. Greenpeace International, Unicorn Riot. Explore Case.
Minnesota Supreme Court
Jul 2025
Energy Transfer LP v. Greenpeace International, Unicorn Riot

Rights of Protesters

Energy Transfer LP v. Greenpeace International, Unicorn Riot

This case in the Minnesota Supreme Court asks whether the MFFIA's protections apply to newsgatherers even if they are alleged to have engaged in trespassing while newsgathering. The ACLU’s State Supreme Court Initiative, alongside the Ƶof Minnesota and law firm Biersdorf & Associations, filed a brief representing Unicorn Riot, a media organization that covered protests of the Dakota Access Pipeline. The brief argues that MFFIA and constitutional reporter’s privileges, under both the U.S. and Minnesota constitutions, protect Unicorn Riot from having to comply with Energy Transfer’s subpoenas.
Energy Transfer Lp V. Greenpeace International, Unicorn Riot. Explore Case.
A law enforcement drone in flight.
Court Case
Dec 2021

Rights of Protesters

Free Speech

Ƶv. CBP - FOIA Case for Records Relating to Government’s Aerial Surveillance of Protesters

In December 2021, the Ƶand NYCLU filed a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit seeking information from nine federal agencies—the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Federal Protective Service (FPS), Marshals Service (USMS), and Secret Service (USSS)—about nationwide aerial surveillance and flight monitoring of protests in 2020 following the death of George Floyd.
Explore case
Aclu V. Cbp - Foia Case For Records Relating To Government’s Aerial Surveillance Of Protesters. Explore Case.
Court Case
Dec 2021
A law enforcement drone in flight.

Rights of Protesters

Free Speech

Ƶv. CBP - FOIA Case for Records Relating to Government’s Aerial Surveillance of Protesters

In December 2021, the Ƶand NYCLU filed a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit seeking information from nine federal agencies—the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Federal Protective Service (FPS), Marshals Service (USMS), and Secret Service (USSS)—about nationwide aerial surveillance and flight monitoring of protests in 2020 following the death of George Floyd.
Aclu V. Cbp - Foia Case For Records Relating To Government’s Aerial Surveillance Of Protesters. Explore Case.
Free speech
Court Case
Oct 2021

Rights of Protesters

Picard v. Magliano

On December 4, 2017, Michael Picard stood on the public sidewalk in front of the Bronx County Hall of Justice with a sign reading “Jury info” and distributed flyers advocating for jury nullification. Shortly after he began his advocacy, an officer arrested Mr. Picard for violating New York’s courthouse protest law, N.Y. Penal Law 215.50(7). The law makes it a crime to shout, call aloud, or hold or display signs or placards concerning a trial on a public street or sidewalk within 200 feet of a courthouse.
Explore case
Picard V. Magliano. Explore Case.
Court Case
Oct 2021
Free speech

Rights of Protesters

Picard v. Magliano

On December 4, 2017, Michael Picard stood on the public sidewalk in front of the Bronx County Hall of Justice with a sign reading “Jury info” and distributed flyers advocating for jury nullification. Shortly after he began his advocacy, an officer arrested Mr. Picard for violating New York’s courthouse protest law, N.Y. Penal Law 215.50(7). The law makes it a crime to shout, call aloud, or hold or display signs or placards concerning a trial on a public street or sidewalk within 200 feet of a courthouse.
Picard V. Magliano. Explore Case.
blm protest
U.S. Supreme Court
Aug 2021

Rights of Protesters

Doe v. Mckesson (Ford v. Mckesson)

Can a protester be held legally responsible for injuries inflicted by a third party's violent act at the protest, when it is undisputed that the protester didn't engage in or intend violence of any kind, on the theory that he negligently organized and led the protest?
Explore case
Doe V. Mckesson (ford V. Mckesson). Explore Case.
U.S. Supreme Court
Aug 2021
blm protest

Rights of Protesters

Doe v. Mckesson (Ford v. Mckesson)

Can a protester be held legally responsible for injuries inflicted by a third party's violent act at the protest, when it is undisputed that the protester didn't engage in or intend violence of any kind, on the theory that he negligently organized and led the protest?
Doe V. Mckesson (ford V. Mckesson). Explore Case.
Ƶv. Department of Defense
Court Case
May 2020

Rights of Protesters

Ƶv. Department of Defense

The Ƶand Ƶof Montana filed a lawsuit on September 4, 2018 asking a federal court to order several federal government agencies to turn over all records concerning their plans to surveil and police anticipated Keystone XL pipeline protests.
Explore case
Aclu V. Department Of Defense. Explore Case.
Court Case
May 2020
Ƶv. Department of Defense

Rights of Protesters

Ƶv. Department of Defense

The Ƶand Ƶof Montana filed a lawsuit on September 4, 2018 asking a federal court to order several federal government agencies to turn over all records concerning their plans to surveil and police anticipated Keystone XL pipeline protests.
Aclu V. Department Of Defense. Explore Case.
1
23