Judge Blocks Enforcement of DHS Noise Regulation at Eugene Federal Building

Ruling protects free speech rights of protesters outside government facility

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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A federal judge in Oregon has issued a preliminary injunction blocking the Department of Homeland Security from enforcing a regulation banning 'loud or unusual noise' at the Eugene Federal Building. The ruling came in a lawsuit filed by two local activists who argued the regulation violated their First Amendment rights to free speech during protests outside the building.

Why it matters

This decision is a victory for free speech advocates, who have raised concerns about federal crackdowns on protests in recent years. The ruling ensures that people can exercise their constitutional rights to demonstrate and voice dissent outside government facilities without fear of arrest or excessive force.

The details

U.S. District Court Judge Ann Aiken ruled in favor of plaintiffs Anna Lardner and Chloe Longworth, who filed suit in December 2025 alleging that federal officials violated their First Amendment rights. Longworth was detained and arrested, and Lardner was threatened with citation for 'unusual noise' after using megaphones during protests outside the Eugene ICE building. The judge found the plaintiffs are likely to succeed on the merits of their case.

  • The Department of Homeland Security rolled out new regulations regarding conduct on federal property in November.
  • On Friday, February 21, 2026, Judge Aiken issued the preliminary injunction.

The players

Anna Lardner

One of the plaintiffs who filed the lawsuit challenging the DHS noise regulation.

Chloe Longworth

One of the plaintiffs who filed the lawsuit challenging the DHS noise regulation.

Lauren Regan

Director and senior staff attorney of the Civil Liberties Defense Center, who is representing the plaintiffs in the case.

Judge Ann Aiken

The U.S. District Court judge who issued the preliminary injunction blocking enforcement of the DHS noise regulation.

Department of Homeland Security

The federal agency that rolled out new regulations, including the noise rule, regarding conduct on federal property.

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What they’re saying

“Today's preliminary injunction ensures that people who want to speak out against the civil rights abuses of this regime can do so with less fear of violence and arrest for protected free speech activities.”

— Anna Lardner (Civil Liberties Defense Center)

“I think it is an important victory for the citizens of Eugene, who want to exercise their First Amendment rights without having those rights chilled by the threat of unlawful arrest or excessive force.”

— Lauren Regan, Director and senior staff attorney, Civil Liberties Defense Center (Civil Liberties Defense Center)

What’s next

The case will now move forward to the discovery and merits stage of litigation. If the case prevails, the injunction will become permanent.

The takeaway

This ruling is a significant win for free speech advocates, as it ensures protesters can exercise their constitutional rights to demonstrate and voice dissent outside government facilities without fear of arrest or excessive force. The decision highlights the ongoing tension between the government's authority to regulate conduct on federal property and the public's First Amendment rights.