Medford-based nonprofit Stabbin’ Wagon has initiated a civil rights lawsuit against the city of Medford and its police department. The organization, which provides clean syringes and overdose prevention supplies, claims it has been subjected to retaliation, politically motivated surveillance, and enforcement actions. This new federal suit follows a similar state court action filed last year.
Key Takeaways
- Stabbin’ Wagon alleges increased police scrutiny and surveillance due to its public health outreach and criticism of police on social media.
- The suit claims police unlawfully monitored the group, attempted to block a state grant, and tried to discredit the nonprofit.
- Founders cite harassment, doxxing, and retaliatory pressure as reasons for their resignation.
Allegations of Retaliation and Surveillance
The lawsuit asserts that Medford police intensified their scrutiny of Stabbin’ Wagon and its founders as the nonprofit gained public attention for its health initiatives and its vocal criticism of the police on social media platforms. The suit details allegations that law enforcement unlawfully monitored and stored information related to the group’s activities and online posts. Furthermore, it claims that the city and police lobbied the Oregon Health Authority to revoke a significant $1.5 million state grant intended for the nonprofit and actively worked to discredit the organization.
Impact on Nonprofit Operations
Founded in 2020, Stabbin’ Wagon states that the city’s alleged “subversion campaign” forced the closure of one of its programs. This program was a peer-run center designed to assist individuals in crisis within Jackson County. The nonprofit’s name originates from its early days, when a founder used a Radio Flyer wagon filled with supplies to aid homeless individuals in Hawthorne Park. This wagon has since been replaced by a cargo van used for distributing clean needles and other harm reduction materials throughout Medford.
Tactics and Founder Resignations
Attorneys for Stabbin’ Wagon described the group’s actions as "nonviolent political pranksterism" and "performative protest." Examples cited include squeezing toy pigs that made noise during Medford police presentations at City Council meetings and posting critical illustrations of police on social media. The suit further alleges that founder Melissa Jones and staff member Samantha Strong resigned from the nonprofit last year due to persistent harassment, surveillance, doxxing, and retaliatory pressure exerted by the city.
Legal Responses and Ongoing Litigation
One of the attorneys representing Stabbin’ Wagon, Alicia LeDuc Montgomery, stated, "This case is about a city government using its power to silence dissent, punish advocacy, and sabotage vital public health work." Medford’s city attorney, Eric B. Mitton, indicated the city had not yet been served with the suit and could not comment on most allegations. However, he defended the city’s inquiries to the state regarding the grant allocation, calling it routine and appropriate. The city’s response to the earlier state lawsuit, filed by the ACLU of Oregon, contended that individuals associated with Stabbin’ Wagon were involved in criminal conduct, including disorderly conduct and trespassing. The police department, through its attorney, denied being motivated by the group’s political or social activities, stating that monitoring public information is standard practice for planning public safety needs.
