Block Club and news organizations sued the federal government for its actions against journalists outside the Broadview ICE detention facility. Four of our journalists have been shot with pepper-spray bullets and tear-gassed.

Against that backdrop, the order from U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis confirms journalists’ right to report and the public’s right to protest under the First Amendment.

“Whatever lawlessness is occurring is not occurring by peaceful protesters” and journalists, Ellis said after reading her decision aloud. Some actions by federal agents “clearly violate the constitution,” the judge said. “Individuals are allowed to protest. They are allowed to speak. That is guaranteed by the First Amendment to our Constitution, and it is a bedrock right that upholds our democracy.”

The order also requires federal agents to wear badges or other “visible identification” so the public can know who they are, with exceptions for those officers who work undercover.