FAQ: Wolfe v. City of Portland
Q: Who is bringing this lawsuit?
The lawsuit was filed by a team of attorneys at Miller Nash Graham & Dunn LLP, Civil Rights Education and Enforcement Center (CREEC), and Disability Rights Legal Center. Disability Rights Oregon is serving as an organizational plaintiff alongside four individual plaintiffs whose stories are mentioned above.
Q. What kind of change are you asking for from the Court?
Protestors with disabilities are being subjected to excessive force and crowd control policies that fail to accommodate or consider their disabilities. The relief we are seeking is changes to how the police interact with protesters with disabilities. This may include using sign-language interpreters, using written signs, using electronic communications equipment to communicate with protesters, and using predesignated dispersal routes that are accessible. This may also include discontinuing the use of weapons that target the whole crowd indiscriminately, such as noxious gasses and strobe lights that cause seizures.
Q: What are the legal claims?
The lawsuit’s legal claims include the constitutional right to assemble and protest, to be free from excessive force, and to due process and equal protection of the laws as well as the rights to receive reasonable accommodations and to ensure that Portland implements policies and practices to ensure that people with disabilities are provided with effective communication and other measures consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Q: Who will this case impact?
Protestors, media, medics, and legal observers with disabilities.
Q: What if I want updates on this case?
We will post updates about this case on Facebook and send updates via eblasts.
Q: If I'm a person with a disability who participates in protests, do I need to do anything?
You may consider seeking accommodations from your city or local government. In general, a good point of contact is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) coordinator.
Q: Can I share my story with you?
You can share your story by adding it to this form.