Top Conservative Civil Liberties Law Firm Challenges Pro-Abortion Measure

ACLJ Calls on New York City to Reject Pro-Abortion Proposal Targeting Pro-Life Pregnancy Centers

WASHINGTON, Nov. 17, 2010—The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) said today it will bring a legal challenge against New York City if a pro-abortion measure is passed that unfairly and unconstitutionally targets pro-life crisis pregnancy centers.  The ACLJ presented testimony yesterday before the Women's Issue Committee of the New York City Council opposing a measure that would penalize pro-life pregnancy centers by requiring them to comply with costly and burdensome requirements-requirements that don't apply to pro-abortion centers.

"This proposal clearly violates the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and New York state law," said CeCe Heil, senior counsel of the ACLJ, who heads up a legal team challenging the proposal.  "It's clear the pro-abortion lobby-Planned Parenthood and NARAL-is behind this effort.  By targeting only the pro-life centers, this measure unconstitutionally and illegally compels, and simultaneously censors, specific speech on the basis of view-point.  Without question, such discrimination is clearly prohibited. In addition, the bill violates the Equal Protection and Due Process Clauses of the 14th Amendment by singling out these pro-life centers for discriminatory treatment and by subjecting them to vague speech requirements under the threat of criminal and financial penalties."

The ACLJ represents the interests of 13 of the 23 pro-life crisis pregnancy centers in New York City.   Nearly 25,000 Americans have already signed on to an ACLJ petition opposing this pro-abortion ordinance.

"The question remains: will members of the New York City Council abide by their oath of office to be vigilant protectors of liberty and freedom?" said Heil.  "If they fail to reject this discriminatory measure, we will take legal action challenging this unconstitutional attempt to punish pro-life centers."

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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