Medford Faces Federal Lawsuit From Nonprofit Accusing Police of Harassment and Political Retaliation
MEDFORD, Ore. — Stabbin’ Wagon, a harm reduction nonprofit, has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the City of Medford and the Medford Police Department, alleging that they engaged in a campaign of unlawful retaliation, targeted surveillance, and politically motivated interference with public health outreach.
The Plaintiffs Are Stabbin’ Wagon and Two of Its Staff Members Seeking Punitive Damages
The lawsuit has been lodged by attorneys LeDuc Montgomery LLC and the Civil Liberties Defense Center (CLDC) on behalf of Stabbin Wagon, its founder Melissa Jones, and former staff member Samantha Strong.
Filed in the Medford Division of the U.S. District Court, the complaint claims that the City and police officials violated the plaintiffs’ rights under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and Oregon state law.
The plaintiffs are seeking compensatory and punitive damages for unconstitutional retaliation, defamation, interference with state grant funding, and other retaliatory conduct stemming from their work with the drug-using and homeless populations in Jackson County.
Nonprofit Claims the City and its Police Lobbied the OHA to Rescind a $1.5 Million State Grant
The complaint details how Stabbin’ Wagon, founded in 2020, came under increasing scrutiny and retaliation as it gained prominence for its evidence-based public health outreach and public criticism of law enforcement practices.
Among their allegations is that the Medford Police Department and City officials retaliated by targeting the plaintiffs for harassment and selective enforcement, and lobbying the Oregon Health Authority to rescind a $1.5 million state grant.
The lawsuit also alleges that federal civil rights laws were violated by Medford officials who conspired to suppress the legal and political rights of Stabbin’ Wagon and its clients. The claims include First Amendment retaliation, intentional interference with economic relations, and invasion of privacy (false light.)
The case is ongoing.