Oregon city wins dismissal of Stabbin’ Wagon nonprofit’s conspiracy lawsuit

A federal judge in Eugene dismissed most claims brought by Stabbin' Wagon, a harm reduction nonprofit, against the city of Medford, Oregon, finding the group failed to adequately allege First Amendment retaliation, conspiracy and policy-based civil rights violations.

The nonprofit, which serves drug users and homeless people, accused the city of surveilling it, excluding it from official communications, and lobbying to undo a $1.5 million state grant after employees were arrested during a public health event. Judge Mustafa Kasubhai found allegations like helicopter flights and fake social media monitoring didn't meet the bar for injury, and that government criticism of the group is itself protected speech.

Kasubhai allowed the plaintiffs to amend their policy and conspiracy claims, meaning the case isn't over so much as sent back for a rewrite. The city, citing active litigation, declined to comment.

The full dispatch is available from the source below.