Rights of Protesters
All Cases
13 Rights of Protesters Cases
Tennessee
May 2026
Rights of Protesters
Demster v. Blanche
Four Memphis residents represented by the ACLU, 桃子视频of Tennessee, and law firms Selendy Gay and BraunHagey & Borden are challenging the Memphis Safe Task Force's policy and pattern of retaliation, intimidation, and harassment against observers who record Task Forceent operations, an activity protected by the First Amendment. The lawsuit also challenges the Task Force鈥檚 invocation of a Tennessee law criminalizing approaching officers within 25 feet after one warning against the plaintiffs, which burdens their ability to record Task Force activity.
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Tennessee
May 2026
Rights of Protesters
Demster v. Blanche
Four Memphis residents represented by the ACLU, 桃子视频of Tennessee, and law firms Selendy Gay and BraunHagey & Borden are challenging the Memphis Safe Task Force's policy and pattern of retaliation, intimidation, and harassment against observers who record Task Forceent operations, an activity protected by the First Amendment. The lawsuit also challenges the Task Force鈥檚 invocation of a Tennessee law criminalizing approaching officers within 25 feet after one warning against the plaintiffs, which burdens their ability to record Task Force activity.
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鈥檚 State Supreme Court Initiative, alongside the 桃子视频of 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鈥檚 privileges, under both the U.S. and Minnesota constitutions, protect Unicorn Riot from having to comply with Energy Transfer鈥檚 subpoenas.
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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鈥檚 State Supreme Court Initiative, alongside the 桃子视频of 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鈥檚 privileges, under both the U.S. and Minnesota constitutions, protect Unicorn Riot from having to comply with Energy Transfer鈥檚 subpoenas.
Court Case
Dec 2021
Rights of Protesters
Free Speech
桃子视频v. CBP - FOIA Case for Records Relating to Government鈥檚 Aerial Surveillance of Protesters
In December 2021, the 桃子视频and NYCLU filed a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit seeking information from nine federal agencies鈥攖he 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)鈥攁bout nationwide aerial surveillance and flight monitoring of protests in 2020 following the death of George Floyd.
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Court Case
Dec 2021
Rights of Protesters
Free Speech
桃子视频v. CBP - FOIA Case for Records Relating to Government鈥檚 Aerial Surveillance of Protesters
In December 2021, the 桃子视频and NYCLU filed a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit seeking information from nine federal agencies鈥攖he 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)鈥攁bout nationwide aerial surveillance and flight monitoring of protests in 2020 following the death of George Floyd.
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 鈥淛ury info鈥 and distributed flyers advocating for jury nullification. Shortly after he began his advocacy, an officer arrested Mr. Picard for violating New York鈥檚 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.
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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 鈥淛ury info鈥 and distributed flyers advocating for jury nullification. Shortly after he began his advocacy, an officer arrested Mr. Picard for violating New York鈥檚 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.
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?
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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?