Posted by Thomas More Society (July 27, 2010 at 4:06 pm)
This morning, Thomas More Society attorney Peter Breen entered a “not guilty” plea to the charge of disorderly conduct on behalf of Joseph Holland, the first person arrested under the new Chicago “Bubble Zone” ordinance, which prevents certain types of picketing activity outside local abortion clinics. Holland, a Northwesten University graduate student, was praying the rosary on a public sidewalk outside the Planned Parenthood Near North abortion facility on July 3 when staff called the police, claiming that he had violated the new ordinance.
The “Bubble Zone” ordinance prohibits approaching within eight feet of a person, without consent, “for the purpose of passing a leaflet or handbill to, displaying a sign to, or engaging in oral protest, education, or counseling.” According to witnesses and available video, Holland was engaged solely in prayer activity and not in leafletting, picketing or “sidewalk counseling.” Video of Holland’s alleged disorderly conduct can be viewed here:
Posted by Thomas More Society (July 27, 2010 at 1:22 pm)
Recently the ACLU publicly attacked Catholic hospitals, asking federal officials at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to investigate and take action against the Catholic facilities for their alleged misconduct in violation of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act and conditions for participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
What was their alleged “misconduct”? According to the ACLU, the Catholic hospitals have “inappropriately and unlawfully den[ied] pregnant women emergency medical care.” How so? Because, the ACLU complains, the Catholic hospitals decline to provide “reproductive services” to women. What “reproductive services” aren’t provided? The answer, says the ACLU, is that—as if this were only recently discovered!—Catholic hospitals don’t provide abortions!
The ACLU’s complaint focused on the recent demotion of a nun, Sister Margaret Mary McBride, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix, for her role in the hospital’s performing an abortion allegedly to address a serious health problem on the part of the baby’s mother — an event that drew a formal statement of opposition from the ordinary of the Diocese. [Continue reading ...]
Posted by Thomas More Society (July 17, 2010 at 7:46 am)
Trespass Cases Against the “ND88″
“ND88″ Attorneys Allege “Viewpoint Discrimination” in Criminal Prosecutions
South Bend, Ind.—This week, another pretrial hearing was held in St. Joseph County Criminal Court involving the criminal trespass charges that the University of Notre Dame and the county prosecutor continue to press against the “ND88.” In a key ruling, Chief Judge Michael Scopelitis confirmed that Thomas More Society attorneys may take a deposition of a Notre Dame official, the former Director of Residential Life at the University.
The ND88, a group of pro-life demonstrators including Alan Keyes, Norma McCorvey and Fr. Norman Weslin, were arrested on Notre Dame’s campus in May 2009, while praying the rosary, singing religious hymns and bearing peaceful, prayerful witness to the sanctity of life as part of a demonstration against Notre Dame’s honoring of President Barack Obama during its Commencement exercises. [Continue reading ...]
Posted by Thomas More Society (July 8, 2010 at 9:08 pm)
For Immediate Release
For more information, contact:
Stephanie Lewis, TC Public Relations
312-422-1333, Stephanie@tcpr.net
CHICAGO—Today, attorneys from the Thomas More Society, on the eve of seeking emergency injunctive relief in federal court, secured an agreement from the city of West Chicago to allow a pro-life protest to proceed as scheduled tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. in West Chicago, Illinois.
West Chicago officials had notified the Thomas More Society early Thursday that the Pro-Life Action League’s “Face the Truth” Tour protest, which involves people holding abortion signage at busy intersections in various municipalities, would not be permitted to take place Friday morning in that city, due to a new ordinance covering demonstrations and protests. Adopted just this past Tuesday by the city of West Chicago, the ordinance requires would-be demonstrators to apply for a permit at least 90 days prior to a demonstration. The ordinance also allows denial of a permit based on the city administrator’s determination whether he believes a demonstration will negatively affect public “comfort, morals, and welfare.” [Continue reading ...]
Recently the ACLU publicly attacked Catholic hospitals, asking federal officials at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to investigate and take action against the Catholic facilities for their alleged misconduct in violation of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act and conditions for participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
For Immediate Release