UMVA has learned that a shocking court ruling has ordered the removal of protective perimeter fencing outside a Federal Building in Eugene, Oregon, just days after a series of violent riots by Antifa and aligned anarchist groups caused over $200,000 in damage.
The ruling, issued by a Biden nominee, claims that the fencing violates the First Amendment by blocking access to the upper “Free Speech Plaza,” despite the area having been repeatedly turned into a war zone by violent protesters. The judge rejected the government’s offer of a permit system and alternative spaces, insisting that the area must remain fully open for “spontaneous” demonstrations.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the fencing was installed in response to ongoing violent riots carried out by Antifa and aligned anarchist groups since June 2025, including a brazen January 30, 2026 riot where a crowd of 400-500 anti-ICE agitators turned violent, broke multiple windows, spray-painted federal property, and threw rocks at law enforcement.
The violent protests have left federal employees shaken, and the facility was evacuated and closed for 10 days. The FBI launched a manhunt, released video of the rioters, and offered up to $5,000 rewards for information leading to arrests and convictions for the destruction of government property.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that the perimeter fencing was put up in late April 2026 at a cost of nearly $270,000, after the building’s Facility Security Committee determined it was required to stop future breaches, protect employees, and give crews time to install riot-proof glass and harden the facade.
The judge’s ruling has left many questioning the decision to prioritize the rights of violent protesters over the safety and security of federal employees and the general public. The government had argued that the fencing was necessary to protect its building and employees, but the judge disagreed, saying that the courtyard is a “traditional public forum.”
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the removal of the fencing has been ordered within 48 hours, despite concerns that it will leave the building vulnerable to future attacks. The judge left open the possibility of some limited fencing on breezeways, but the main barrier protecting the upper plaza must be removed.
