Free Speech Gets a Hearing Today

“The First Amendment guarantees the right of all Americans to express their deeply held beliefs.” - American Center for Law and Justice Attorney Ed White

WASHINGTON, Oct. 12, 2010—On Wednesday, Oct. 13, pro-life Pittsburghers will have their day in court.

The United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania will hold a hearing on the Motion for Temporary Restraining Order filed on behalf of pro-life advocates Kathleen A. Ramsey and Albert A. Brunn on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2010, at 9:30 a.m.

The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) is challenging the constitutionality of Pittsburgh Ordinance § 601.02, which restricts the rights of plaintiffs and others to distribute literature within the city of Pittsburgh.

"Three appeals courts have thrown out similar laws in other states," said ACLJ Sr. Attorney Ed White.  "These plaintiffs - and indeed all Americans - have a First Amendment right to get their message out."

The ACLJ's suit asserts that the ordinance is overbroad, vague and impinges on the rights of free speech and due process that the United States Constitution guarantees.  

In advance of the Nov. 2 elections, plaintiffs are seeking to educate the public on pro-life matters, especially as they relate to the elections on Nov. 2, 2010.  They are seeking to distribute literature to individuals and to place it on unoccupied parked cars-without fear of fine, penalty or censure.   

Pittsburgh attorney Noah P. Fardo of the law firm Flaherty Fardo LLC is working with the ACLJ on the case.

The full complaint, motion and ACLJ brief are available online.

Led by Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow, the American Center for Law and Justice focuses on constitutional law and is based in Washington, D.C.  The ACLJ is online at www.aclj.org.  

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