Archive for the ‘Pro-Life Activism’ Category
Posted by Thomas More Society (May 4, 2010 at 9:59 pm)
Monica Miller, head of Citizens for a Pro-Life Society in southeastern Michigan and herself one of the “ND88” whom Notre Dame had arrested for protesting the Obama Commencement at Notre Dame almost a year ago, conducted another, similar protest last Saturday in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on the campus of the University of Michigan.
The occasion? It was the latest Commencement appearance by president Obama, this time at the University of Michigan’s 2010 Commencement.
Perhaps amazingly to some folks, these photos show that such protests can be conducted without arrests, jailing and prosecution of protesters—something that may come as a surprise to those guarding the gates at Notre Dame’s celebrated campus. [Continue reading ...]
Posted by Thomas More Society (April 27, 2010 at 9:41 am)
For Immediate Release
Chicago, Ill.,—In a major ruling—which ultimately could prove decisive for the defense—St. Joseph County, Ind., Superior Court Chief Judge Michael P. Scopelitis lifted a stay order that barred lead defense attorney Tom Dixon from pursuing discovery from Notre Dame officials. Dixon represents the 88 pro-lifers who peacefully assembled against the Catholic university’s decision to honor the vehemently pro-abortion President Barack Obama. By allowing discovery, Judge Scopelitis authorizes Dixon to pursue testimony under oath from said officials who were key decision makers in the arrest of the ND88. It will also allow him to subpoena documents that may shed light on the college’s apparent inconsistency regarding the arrest and prosecution of other groups and individuals participating in similar on-campus events.
“The lifting of this stay on discovery is very significant,” said Tom Brejcha, president and chief counsel of the Thomas More Society. “A Notre Dame alumni group, Sycamore Trust, recently reported that homosexual rights and anti-ROTC protesters received, at worst, mere slaps on the wrist for leading unauthorized protests on campus. We believe that through discovery we may well uncover evidence that the Notre Dame police engaged in ‘viewpoint discrimination:’ that the university singled out the ND88 for especially harsh treatment.” [Continue reading ...]
Posted by Thomas More Society (April 26, 2010 at 9:00 am)
The lawsuit against Planned Parenthood for libeling Eric Scheidler and the Pro-Life Action League, which was turned against them by means of the Illinois Citizen Participation Act, has been appealed to the Illinois Supreme Court, the highest court in the State.
You can read the whole saga of this important case here, and you can see the Petition for Leave to Appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court linked below.
Case Documents
Posted by Thomas More Society (April 26, 2010 at 8:00 am)
Judge Scopelitis, the judge in the trial of the ND 88, has lifted the stay of discovery in the case. The ND 88 are the pro-life activists arrested for walking on the property of the University of Notre Dame in protest of the school’s honoring of President Barack Obama in May of 2009.
This leaves lead attorney Tom Dixon free to pursue depositions and find out more about the events that lead to the arrest of the ND88. Read the Notice of Deposition to see what Tom is seeking to find out, including:
- Who gave authority to the Notre Dame Police Department to arrest the ND88
- Who decided that the listed Defendants were not allowed on campus during the month of May, 2009, and when those decisions were made
- Notre Dame’s policies and practices regarding demonstrations on campus
- All communications between Notre Dame and any outside policing entities regarding the treatment and arrest of these Defendants and which communications occurred prior to the arrests
And much more . . .
Case Documents
Posted by Thomas More Society (April 5, 2010 at 12:02 pm)
Judge Scopelitis’ ruling confirms that evidence of defense is fact-based; does not speak to merits of ND88’s legal defense
Chicago, Ill.—The Thomas More Society announced today that their motion to dismiss filed in St. Joseph County Superior Court has been denied by Judge Scopelitis. In light of the recent death of Linda Schmidt from terminal cancer and the mounting serious health complications and personal challenges experienced by several members of the ND88, the Thomas More Society continues to explore every legal opportunity to bring relief to these peaceful pro-lifers. This includes petitioning the Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C, president of Notre Dame, to request that the charges be dropped.
“We understand Judge Scopelitis’ ruling to have been a strict application of a procedural rule, and we respect that decision. However, he did not rule on the merits of our legal defenses or our constitutional challenges to the validity of the charges. [Continue reading ...]
Posted by Thomas More Society (March 29, 2010 at 9:57 am)
Friday’s deadline for the passage of new legislation by the Illinois House of Representatives came and went without HB6205—the “Illinois FOCA” bill—ever coming up for a vote.
Realizing they were short of the votes needed for passage, the House leadership chose to send the bill back to the Rules Committee, which means that it is effectively dead for the year. The Stop Illinois FOCA Coalition, which includes the Thomas More Society, will continue to watch the House for any further developments—for example, a move to extend the deadline for this bill—but there seems little hope for HB6205 in 2010.
Thanks to all those who called, e-mailed and visited their State Representatives. Thanks to all who offered prayers or joined protests down in Springfield or at district offices across the state.
And a special thanks to our pro-life lobbyists: Ralph Rivera of Illinois Citizens for Life and Bob Gilligan of the Illinois Catholic Conference. Their tireless efforts down in Springfield and their wisdom and guidance for the whole pro-life community of Illinois made this victory possible.
Posted by Thomas More Society (March 24, 2010 at 10:52 pm)
Lawsuit Had Alleged First Amendment Violations by City Against Protesters at Midwest’s Largest Abortion Facility, Located in Aurora, Illinois
Aurora, Ill.—Tomorrow morning, attorneys for the Thomas More Society will ask Judge Virginia Kendall for leave to spread of record an agreed stipulation and settlement in federal court in Chicago, voluntarily dismissing their First Amendment lawsuit (Fox Valley Families, etc. v. Aurora), filed two years ago to protect the rights of citizens who pray and protest at the Planned Parenthood facility in Aurora. The settlement requires the City of Aurora to amend two ordinances claimed to be unconstitutional, mandates First Amendment training for Aurora police, and establishes a grievance process to handle disputes between the protesters and Aurora officials. While the case will be dismissed, the federal court will retain jurisdiction to enforce the settlement agreement. Link to the full text of the agreement after the fold
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Posted by Thomas More Society (March 5, 2010 at 10:53 am)
Monica Miller, longtime pro-life activist and head of Citizens for a Pro-Life Society was a dear friend of activist Linda Schmidt, one of the ND 88 who died of cancer earlier this week. You can read Monica’s last letter to Linda after the break, a touching testament to Linda’s commitment to the pro-life cause. It has been requested that condolences and Mass cards to be sent to:
Larry Schmidt
9035 Mount Vernon Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53226
May Linda’s soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercies of God rest in peace.
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Posted by Thomas More Society (March 3, 2010 at 11:28 pm)
TMS renews call for Notre Dame President Fr. Jenkins to prefer human rights to property rights and ask the prosecutor to drop all charges against the ND 88
Chicago, Ill.—Tom Brejcha, president and chief counsel of Chicago’s Thomas More Society—the national public interest law firm whose legal team is defending the Notre Dame 88—is sad to report the death of ND88 client Linda Schmidt who died after a courageous battle with terminal cancer.
“It is with a heavy heart that we report that Linda Schmidt died early last night. While she will be missed by her family and loved ones, as a woman of tremendous faith she will no doubt spend eternity with our Lord,” stated Brejcha. “But our grief at losing this dedicated pro-life heroine is greater given the grim truth that she lived her final days under this cloud of criminal charges instigated by Notre Dame, which remained pending even as she departed this life.”
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Posted by Thomas More Society (February 19, 2010 at 11:42 am)
Emboldened by recent action in Chicago, Rockford, Illinois recently sought to enact a bubble zone ordinance to restrict pro-life counseling and prayer outside the abortion facility in the town. After TMS attorneys conatacted the city council, the measure was tabled for two months.
The media has caught wind of this important free-speech case. Below is a sampling of the media coverage on this story.
Media Coverage of Rockford Bubble Zone
