Operation Save America - Press Release - Prolifers Sue Abortion Providers & Abortion Protectors- Hearing Held on Temporary Restraining Order

TUPELO, MS.-This afternoon District Court Judge Peter C. Dorsey refused to issue a temporary restraining order that would have protected pro-lifers from an ongoing conspiracy to deny them freedom ostensibly protected by the First Amendment.

The denied TRO is merely act one in what promises to be complex and contentious federal litigation between Connecticut's pro-life and pro-abortion forces. Late yesterday afternoon, the American Family Association Center for Law & Policy (‘Center') filed suit in federal district court in Bridgeport, Connecticut, against Summit Women's Center, an abortion clinic, the City of Bridgeport, and several Bridgeport police officers. The lawsuit alleges that these and other unnamed defendants conspired to violate the constitutional rights of pro-life advocates who counsel abortion seekers at or near the clinic.

The pro-life Plaintiffs are men and women who offer alternatives to abortion on the sidewalks adjacent to the abortion clinic. Several of the women plaintiffs have had abortions themselves. They counsel clinic clients against abortion, and encourage alternatives such as adoption.

They also share with clinic clients their own post-abortion tragedy and trauma, offering literature, prayer and aid to those in crisis.

The Plaintiffs showed up in federal court today with evidence that employees and agents of Summit Women's Center have conspired with Bridgeport police to harass and threaten them with arrest while they are engaged in constitutionally-protected expressive activities. Yet the evidence fell upon deaf ears. Judge Dorsey stated that even if the pro-lifers were being unjustly and unfairly treated, he considered their constitutional rights of secondary import given the law of the land.

Center Chief Counsel Steven M. Crampton, incensed at the Judge's lack of regard for constitutional rights, intoned that "Judge Dorsey's refusal endorsed the City of Bridgeport's admitted practice of applying an injunction against an outspoken prolife activists to all prolifers, regardless of their conduct. Countenancing such misuse of the law is tantamount to stipulating that the Bill of Rights is a dead letter."

Center Litigation Counsel Michael J. DePrimo further observed that "Judge Dorsey demonstrated a total lack of regard for the First Amendment rights of prolife counselors."

This case arises out of a previous prosecution of pro-lifers by federal government, state of Connecticut and abortion industry. In that case, tried four years ago, U.S. District Court Judge Alan Nevas issued the very order which the City of Bridgeport and its friends in the abortion industry now misuse with reckless abandon four years ago. "Judge Nevas," noted Attorney Crampton, "carefully weighed the evidence and decided only Stan Scott, a quite vocal opponent of abortion, needed to be enjoined." "Four years later," Crampton continued, "pro-abortion sentiments have driven the City of Bridgeport to decide that the injunction applies to any and all pro-lifers."

"While the City and abortion industry proclaim themselves 'pro-choice,'" noted Attorney DePrimo, "the misuse of the Nevas injunction reveals their true colors." "They are," Deprimo continued, "like the greedy, woman-harming establishment calling itself Summit Woman's Center, 'pro-abortion.'"

The AFA Center for Law & Policy is the legal arm of the American Family Association, Inc., located in Tupelo, Mississippi and Washington, D.C. The Center restricts its practice to constitutional litigation in state and federal courts throughout the country.Thanks and God bless!

For more information, contact Stephen M. Crampton or Michael J. DePrimo at (601) 680-3886