NEW YORK –A settlement that a federal district court approved Wednesday protects the right of pro-life pregnancy care centers in New York Cityto serve women without being forced to speak or post messages that are contrary to their pro-life beliefs or that direct women away from the services the centers offer.
The settlement protects the centers’ constitutionally protected freedoms that were in jeopardy because of Local Law 17, an anti-pregnancy care law that the courts mostly invalidated through the Alliance Defending Freedom {ADF} lawsuit Pregnancy Care Center of New York v. City of New York. An appeals court affirmed most of a district court’s ruling that had struck down the law but reinstated one vague provision in November 2014. The settlement resolves the remaining concerns of the centers.
“New York City’s pro-life pregnancy care centers should be able to offer free help and hope to the women and children that they serve without unconstitutional interference from the government, and this settlement allows that to happen,” said ADF Senior Counsel Matt Bowman. “The centers will be able to operate without being forced to post or express any messages that conflict with their pro-life beliefs or that encourage women to go elsewhere. The centers have also preserved their right to defend themselves in court again if the city discriminates against them.”
Editor’s note. This analysis was provided by the Alliance Defending Freedom.
Article continues: http://www.nationalrighttolifenews.org/news/2016/03/
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