Court Decision Yields Victory for Free Speech

"Today the court acted to protect one of the most fundamental rights of all Americans, the right to freedom of speech. The court rightly recognized that the plaintiffs must not be denied their right to exercise that freedom." - ACLJ Attorney Ed Whit

WASHINGTON, Oct. 13, 2010—Pittsburghers can once again breathe easy-and speak freely.

The U.S. District Court for Western District of Pennsylvania granted a temporary restraining order to allow Pittsburghers to educate the public about pro-life issues in advance of the Nov. 2 elections.

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

"Today the court acted to protect one of the most fundamental rights of all Americans, the right to freedom of speech," said ACLJ Sr. Attorney Ed White.  "The court rightly recognized that the plaintiffs must not be denied their right to exercise that freedom."

The city ordinance seeks to prohibit the distribution of literature via hand-delivery to individuals or placement on unoccupied parked cars.   According to the plaintiffs, distribution of literature is a valuable means for educating the public about critical community issues.

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

The court's temporary restraining order is 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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