The case of a Portland furrier who sued the city and animal rights activists was thrown out by a judge Tuesday.

Schumacher Furs filed the lawsuit against In Defense of Animals and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals for protests that eventually drove the store out of downtown Portland.

KGW photo

Linda and Gregg Schumacher inside their downtown Portland fur store.

The suit charged them with a vulgar pattern of harassment that included public nudity, insults, obscene gestures and threats of physical harm. The protests at the store began in late 2005.

“Today is a victory both for free speech and the animals brutalized by the fur industry. The court agreed that our protests are lawful and fully protected under the First Amendment, leaving the Schumacher’s lawsuit lying in ruins,” Northwest Outreach Coordinator of IDA Matt Rossell said in a statement.

A spokesperson for the Schumachers Tuesday said the owners had no comment so far.

The Schumachers also accused Portland police of failing to provide the protection they offer to other businesses.

Background: Embattled fur store closing for good

Owner Gregg Schumacher tried to relocate the 112-year-old business in the suburbs but closed it for good after it could not reach lease agreement with suburban mall managers.