The Alamance County, N.C. Branch of the NAACP and eight individual plaintiffs in North Carolina claimed victory today after a federal judge for the Middle District of North Carolina granted their motion for a preliminary injunction, disallowing a sheriff and local officials from prohibiting protest near the Confederate monument on the Historic Courthouse grounds.
Judge Catherine Eagles ruled that Alamance County’s ban on allowing protestors on the courthouse grounds, steps, and sidewalks likely violates protesters’ First Amendment rights.
The original lawsuit was filed by the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, ACLU, ACLU of North Carolina, and Lockamy Law Firm on behalf of the Alamance NAACP and 8 individuals in early July.
“It’s freedom and the right to protest for everybody, or freedom for nobody. I hope county officials understand that going forward,” said Barrett Brown, president of the Alamance Branch of NAACP.
What do you think about the ruling?