Oregon Public Broadcasting journalist April Ehrlich has filed a federal civil rights complaint against the city of Medford, the Medford police, and Jackson County. She asserted that being detained on September 22, 2020, at a local park stopped her from performing her duties as a reporter covering a police raid on a homeless camp.
Ehrlich also claimed that the government had violated her civil rights by interfering with her journalism and trespassing on her property.
According to the lawsuit, April Ehrlich was exploring Medford’s Hawthorne Park as she covered the camp removal. On September 22, 2020, she allegedly held her audio recording equipment and displayed her press credentials as evidence.
Ehrlich identified herself as a reporter and stated that she was at a public park when police approached her and asked her to leave in a video that the Medford Police Department released. Ehrlich remarked:
“I’m a reporter! I am a reporter! I’m just doing my job.”
Weekend news editor for Oregon Public Broadcasting, @AprilEhrlich, is suing the city of Medford, Medford police & Jackson County after she refused to comply with police orders & was arrested for trespass. Watch the video: https://t.co/DD4fH80Xql
— Andy Ngô ????️???? (@MrAndyNgo) September 29, 2022
