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ACLU lawsuit alleges First Amendment violations by Memphis Task Force
The suit says agents retaliated against residents for recording police activity and seeks to block enforcement of a 25-foot observer rule.
- On Wednesday, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a First Amendment lawsuit against the Memphis Safe Task Force, alleging agents systematically harassed and retaliated against four residents who attempted to record law enforcement activities.
- President Donald Trump established the 31-agency Task Force in September 2025 to combat crime, resulting in over 120,000 traffic stops in the city of about 610,000.
- Plaintiffs allege agents invoked the 'Halo Law' to push observers back, with one vehicle stopping two inches from Hunter Demster and Jessica Chodor jailed for 27 hours after refusing to stop filming.
- The lawsuit seeks to declare retaliation and the 'Halo Law' application unconstitutional, while White House spokesperson Liz Huston defended the task force, stating officials are working to 'make Memphis safe again.'
- This filing follows a separate pending appeal by media outlets challenging the 'Halo Law,' as documenting government officials in public remains paramount to ensuring accountability and constitutional freedoms.
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Associated Press News+15 Reposted by 15 other sources
Memphis residents claim harassment, arrest and abuse by Trump-ordered Memphis Safe Task Force
Four Memphis residents say they have been harassed, arrested and physically mistreated for engaging in activities protected by the First Amendment such as observing and recording law enforcement personnel in their city.
·United States
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Lawsuit Claims Memphis Safe Task Force Violated First Amendment Rights
Four Memphis residents say they have been harassed, arrested and physically mistreated for engaging in First Amendment protected activities by observing and recording the actions of law enforcement in their city Lawsuit Claims Memphis Safe Task Force Violated First Amendment Rights.
Coverage Details
Total News Sources18
Leaning Left5Leaning Right1Center10Last UpdatedBias Distribution63% Center
Bias Distribution
- 63% of the sources are Center
63% Center
L 31%
C 63%
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