A judge has delayed the deadline to take down the fence at the Eugene Federal Building to July 2.
On Monday, federal Judge Mustafa Kasubhai sided with local activists suing the federal government over the fence.
Kasubhai ordered a preliminary injunction, citing free-speech concerns. He gave the government 48 hours to remove the barrier, a deadline that would have expired Wednesday afternoon.
But in a filing Tuesday evening, the government’s lawyers said it could take up to 11 days to coordinate a traffic control plan with the city and get a contractor to do the job. They asked for an extension until July 5.
“Defendant has not acted with delay, obstinance, or neglect,” the lawyers wrote. “Rather, removal of the security fence by the current deadline would be impossible for reasons outside Defendant’s control.”
On Wednesday, Kasubhai instead gave the government until 7 a.m. on July 2 to finish the project. That means the fence would need to be gone before Independence Day, a holiday which drew a large protest in Eugene last year.
If government officials don't meet that deadline, they could be held in contempt of court.
The Civil Liberties Defense Center, which represents the plaintiffs in this case, reacted to the decision in a statement by email Wednesday afternoon.
"We appreciate the court's continued emphasis on the extremely high value of first amendment rights at the free speech plaza compared to the minimal burden placed on the government to take down an unconstitutional temporary barricade fence," said Lauren Regan, the CLDC’s Director of Litigation and Advocacy.
KLCC has reached out to the General Services Administration for comment.
