Additionally, pro-life activists assert that enacting the bubble zone ordinance would overlook and validate the grossly objectionable activities on the part of the Northern Illinois Women’s Center, Rockford’s abortion clinic with its notorious history of displaying obscene images and harassing protesters. Clinic window displays feature a host of anti-Christian symbols including a rubber chicken covering the body of Jesus Christ on a crucifix, images of Jesus Christ making an explicit gesture with the words “Even Jesus Hates You,” and more rubber chickens dangling from nooses. A nun doll in a miniature casket appears in another window, along with crudely hand-drawn signs slandering priests and other pro-life sidewalk counselors as HIV-positive perverts and child molesters.

“We’ve been involved in federal litigation with both the clinic proprietor, his thug ally, and Rockford for two years now, and while we had hoped to settle and compromise with the city, this proposed ‘bubble zone’ ordinance represented a major setback. Yet we’re now pleased that, at least, discussions about the negative impact and patent illegality of the ordinance are moving forward,” said Tom Brejcha, president and chief counsel of the Thomas More Society. “This two month delay is a legal victory, albeit a modest one, as prospects for passage of the bubble zone proposal have been dimmed, if not wholly curtailed. We trust that City council members will carefully reconsider this unwise, unwelcome, ill-timed and illicit proposal.”

In the law firm’s letter to Rockford officials, Brejcha detailed how this new ordinance, if adopted, would infringe the free speech rights of peaceful sidewalk counselors. Moreover, it is really “anti-choice,” as it deprives expectant mothers of any genuine chance to make free, fully informed choices. Finally, Illinois’ Labor Dispute Act, which precludes municipal regulation of labor picketing, would render Rockford’s bubble-zone “viewpoint-discriminatory” and illegal.

Pro-life advocate Kevin Rilott sent another letter to the city stating that its officials should refrain from putting their stamp of approval on the hateful, obscene and intimidating images displayed by the abortion clinic. Rilott wrote, “Is this really the type of bigotry…the Rockford City council wants to protect, promote, and defend with it’s [sic] bubble zone?”

The Thomas More Society has represented pro-life activists in Rockford for several years in both federal and state courts. The pending civil rights lawsuit Rilott v. Rockford et al (No. 08 CV 50045) alleges hate crimes by the abortion clinic proprietor, Wayne Webster, and his ally, Keith Sterkeson, as well as defacement of a pro-life “bus bench” ad by a Rockford bus driver.

Contact: Tom Brejcha, Esq., Chief Counsel, Thomas More Society, 312-590-3408 cell, 312-782-1680; Thomas Ciesielka, TC Public Relations, 312-422-1333

Rockford has been the center of abortion-related controversy for some time now. In fact, one of the the Thomas More Society’s ongoing cases is centered on Rockford’s abortion mill. Check out the most recent amended complaint in that case as well as news coverage of the bubble zone story below.

Related Links

• Proposed ‘bubble law’ draws crowd at council meeting—Rockford Register Star
• 4th Amended Complaint in Rockford Free Speech Case [PDF]

Rockford resident Keith A. Sterkeson physically threatened and then attacked Eric Nelson and Kevin Rilott while calling Nelson, “A N*****, a N*****. You are a worthless degenerate N*****. Oh, you are a N*****! You are a degenerate and empty skull, thinking Jesus is going to save you. You’re a N*****. Your mother was a N*****.” Video after the jump . . .

Read more in the TMS press release [PDF] on this shocking development.

Click below to view one of the tirades against pro-life witnesses at Rockford’s lone abortion facility. [WARNING: The video below is of not safe for work viewing or for viewing around children - discretion is advised.]