The Oregon federal district court issued a preliminary injunction Friday that prohibits federal agents from enforcing a regulation banning “loud or unusual noise” at the Eugene Federal Building because it violates rights to free speech.
The Department of Homeland Security rolled out new regulations regarding conduct on federal property in November, including a rule about noise, noxious odor or other nuisances under the section on prohibited conduct.
On Friday, U.S. District Court Judge Ann Aiken ruled in favor of two local activists who challenged the constitutionality of new federal regulations that have resulted in arrests at “traditional free speech areas,” including the Eugene Free Speech Plaza and surrounding city sidewalks, according to a press release from the Civil Liberties Defense Center.
Protesters Anna Lardner and Chloe Longworth filed suit in December 2025 alleging federal officials violated their First Amendment rights. Longworth was detained and arrested, and Lardner was threatened with citation for “unusual noise” after using megaphones during protests outside the Eugene ICE building.
“I think it is an important victory for the citizens of Eugene, who want to exercise their First Amendment rights without having those rights chilled by the threat of unlawful arrest or excessive force,” Lauren Regan, director and senior staff attorney of CLDC, who is representing the two plaintiffs in the case, said.
One of the plaintiffs, Anna Lardner, said in the CLDC press release, “Today’s preliminary injunction ensures that people who want to speak out against the civil rights abuses of this regime can do so with less fear of violence and arrest for protected free speech activities.”
This follows a temporary restraining order at the Portland Macadam ICE facility banning federal agents from using tear gas. Regan said the plaintiffs are considering amending the lawsuit to challenge the constitutionality of actions taken by federal agents in recent weeks.
The case will now move forward to the discovery and merits stage of litigation. In granting the injunction, the court ruled that the plaintiffs are likely to succeed on the merits, according to the release.
If the case prevails, the injunction will become permanent.
