An activist has been ordered to keep his distance from the owners of Schumacher Furs & Outerwear, the downtown Portland business that was the scene of loud protests for well over a year.

KGW photo

Linda and Gregg Schumacher inside their downtown Portland fur store.

U.S. District Judge Michael W. Mosman also ruled Thursday that protester Kevin Mieras must abstain from communicating with owners Gregg and Linda Schumacher, their family members or their employees. Mosman signaled that he might take similar action against 20 other protesters, who were only referred to as "John Does 1-10" and "Jane Does 1-10."

Gregg Schumacher accused Mieras of going to his house, but Mieras, in an affadavit, said he does not even know where the Schumachers live.

Schumacher, the most fiercely protested fur trader in America during the past 18 months, has repeatedly blamed Portland's politicians and police for not protecting the company, which is going out of business after 112 years.

Last month, the Schumachers filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against activists and the city of Portland. The Schumachers included in their filing a motion for a preliminary injunction against the activists and two major animal-rights groups: In Defense of Animals and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

Mosman, however, said he heard no evidence to support an order barring the two groups or their workers from protesting lawfully outside the store.

 More: Owners say protests forced them out

Lawyers for the Schumachers submitted videotapes showing masked protesters screaming obscenities and following customers to their cars. The tapes also showed women cavorting topless outside.

"You are in the unenviable position of being harmed by people whose names you do not know," Mosman said.

The judge signaled that he would consider requirements to keep protesters at least 15 feet from the front door of the store; prevent them from placing signs or substances on or around the store; and from entering the properties of the Schumachers, their family or employees.

Though most agree that animal-rights activists have tested the limits of free speech during their Saturday demonstrations, Portland leaders also blamed the Schumachers for declining to take part in city-sponsored mediation with protest organizers.

Protesters have said they will continue to demonstrate until the store is closed for good, likely at the end of the month.