Medford, OR — Today, Jackson County resident Toren McKnight filed a federal civil rights lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon alleging the Ashland Mayor and Ashland Chief of Police violated his First Amendment rights by silencing and removing him from an Ashland City Council meeting for engaging in protected political speech.
The lawsuit arises from a September 16, 2025 Ashland City Council meeting at which Mr. McKnight criticized a proposed expansion of the City’s “Enhanced Law Enforcement Area” ordinance, a policy initially proposed by the Ashland Chief of Police Tighe O’Meara. McKnight referred to O’Meara as “fascist” in public comment regarding the ELEA proposal.
“Our country is currently in the middle of a fascist takeover. Trump has ordered the involuntary commitment of people with disabilities, poor people, and unhoused people. Trump has taken over DC and attempted the same in cities around the country. Any further crackdowns of poor and unhoused people is falling in line with Trump’s agenda. It is not empathetic and it is not helping the community,” McKnight stated during his public comment in September. “Please do not consider any proposal from Chief Tighe O’Meara, or the police in general, they are not the answer, and they are not protecting people, they are causing harm” and stated “he knows that it makes him look like a fascist, which he is.”
Despite remaining calm, orderly, and within his allotted speaking time, Mr. McKnight was interrupted, cut off, labeled “disorderly,” and escorted out of the meeting by Ashland Police at the direction of Police Chief O’Meara and Mayor Tonya Graham.
McKnight’s lawsuit challenges the City of Ashland’s enforcement of a municipal rule barring so-called “personal attacks” during public comment, alleging that the rule is unconstitutionally vague and used to suppress criticism of city officials while allowing favorable or neutral speech.
“You don’t defend democracy by punishing dissent,” said Alicia LeDuc Montgomery, attorney for Mr. McKnight. “The First Amendment protects criticism of public officials precisely so citizens can hold power accountable. Proclaiming Constitutional protections one moment and silencing peaceful political speech the next exposes a troubling disconnect between the City’s stated values and its actions,” she said.
The complaint alleges violations of the First Amendment, including retaliation and viewpoint discrimination, and seeks damages as well as a declaratory and injunctive relief to prevent future enforcement of unconstitutional restrictions on public comment.
Mr. McKnight alleges that the City’s actions not only violated his rights but also chilled his willingness to participate in future City Council meetings on matters of public concern.
Case Information:
McKnight v. City of Ashland, et al., 1:26-cv-8, United States District Court, District of Oregon (Medford Division)
The complaint and exhibits, including videos and transcripts of the September 16, 2025 City Council meeting, are available at: https://app.box.com/s/iyxsoyh07ly3ogv815jqu4jcovwofujx.
Counsel for Plaintiff:
Alicia LeDuc Montgomery
LeDuc Montgomery LLC
2210 W Main Street, Suite 107 #328 Battle Ground, WA 98604
(704) 702-6934
alicia@leducmontgomery.com
www.leducmontgomery.com
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