In Eastern R. Conf. v. Noerr Motors (1961) 365 U.S. 127, trucking companies sued railroad companies claiming their efforts to influence legislation regulating trucking violated the Sherman Act (15 U.S.C. 1 et seq.). (365 U.S. at p. 129.) The court held that the Sherman Act did not bar people from associating to persuade the government to take particular action. (365 U.S. at pp. 136-137.) In reaching this conclusion, the court opined that construing the Sherman Act to reach such conduct "would raise important constitutional questions" concerning the right of petition and then stated, "we cannot ... lightly impute to Congress an intent to invade ... freedoms" protected by the Bill of Rights. (365 U.S. at p. 138.)