Federal court officials in Oregon are looking at a condition placed on the terms of release of some arrested demonstrators by federal judges that those individuals cannot participate in future protests, the Washington Post reports.
The condition likely violates the individuals First Amendment rights, critics say. Reviewed by ProPublica, the condition was placed on the condition of release for people charged with misdemeanors. The defendants had to agree to these terms in order to be released from jail.
“Defendant may not attend any other protests, rallies, assemblies or public gatherings in the state of Oregon,” was handwritten or typed into the terms of release of many defendants.
“I can’t believe that they think this is constitutional,” said Aaron Caplan, a professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles told the Post. “It’s really broad and it’s hitting at something that is constitutionally protected.”