{"id":667,"date":"2011-07-21T13:37:58","date_gmt":"2011-07-21T17:37:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/faithandjustice\/?p=667"},"modified":"2011-07-21T13:39:59","modified_gmt":"2011-07-21T17:39:59","slug":"round-2-fight-to-prevent-shutdown-of-pregnancy-centers-continues","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/2011\/07\/round-2-fight-to-prevent-shutdown-of-pregnancy-centers-continues.html","title":{"rendered":"Round 2: Fight to Prevent Shutdown of Pregnancy Centers Continues"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Last week I told you about a major victory in our lawsuit to prevent the shutdown of pro-life pregnancy centers<\/a>. In a stinging rebuke of the pro-abortion agenda, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction<\/a> preventing a law from going into affect that would have effectively shut down pro-life pregnancy centers in New York City, saying that it\u2019s \u201cover-expansiveness is evident from its very language.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Now, with the support of pro-abortions groups like Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice America, the City of New York has filed its notice of appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, challenging the court\u2019s well reasoned ruling that this law is a violation of our pro-life client\u2019s constitutional rights to free speech.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

We are preparing to head back to court to defend these pro-life pregnancy centers on appeal so that they can continue doing what they do best \u2013 helping women in their hour of need and saving lives.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

There is no question that this law, which is an attempt by pro-abortion forces to silence the pro-life movement, is unconstitutional.\u00a0 It would force pro-life advocates to make certain disclosures about abortion and contraception on their buildings, on their advertisements, and verbally to each of their clients \u2013 disclosures which violate not only their conscience but their very purpose for existence.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The city\u2019s argument, that pro-life pregnancy centers engage in a lesser-protected form of commercial speech, was soundly defeated by the trial court.\u00a0 The trial court stated<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

[The city\u2019s] argument \u2013 that [pro-life pregnancy centers] engage in commercial speech because they are provided an audience to whom they can espouse their beliefs \u2013 is particularly offensive to free speech principles.\u00a0 While [the government] apparently regard[s] an assembly of people as an economic commodity, this Court does not.\u00a0 Under such a view, flyers for political rallies, religious literature promoting church attendance, or similar forms of expression would constitute commercial speech merely because they assemble listeners for the speaker.\u00a0 Accepting that position would permit the Government to inject its own message into virtually all speech designed to advocate a message to more than a single individual and thereby eviscerate the First Amendment\u2019s protections.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This is precisely what the First Amendment was designed to protect against, and it is why we filed a federal lawsuit challenging the law<\/a> and are fighting so aggressively.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What is more, the trial court found it \u201cpuzzling\u201d that the ACLU would support a law that so obviously flies in the face of the First Amendment.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

However, the pro-abortion agenda is clear: shut down pro-life pregnancy centers at all cost.\u00a0 In fact, when Mayor Bloomberg signed this bill into law<\/a> he said, \u201cIt may be unconstitutional, but I am going to sign it anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Groups like the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, and NARAL and pro-abortion legislators are engaged in a concerted effort to use the coercive power of government to promote their abortion agenda.\u00a0 They are using this New York law as the example for other jurisdictions across the country to follow in an effort to shut down pro-life pregnancy centers.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

We will continue to defend these pro-life pregnancy centers in New York and with them the right of all pro-life advocates to convey their life-saving message.\u00a0 As this case moves forward on appeal to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals over the next few months, I will continue to keep you informed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Last week I told you about a major victory in our lawsuit to prevent the shutdown of pro-life pregnancy centers. In a stinging rebuke of the pro-abortion agenda, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction preventing a law from going into affect that would have effectively shut down pro-life pregnancy centers in New York City,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":401,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,4,45,29,66],"tags":[743,114,199,776,200,18,221,220,756,751,201,749,222],"class_list":["post-667","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-faith","category-justice","category-new-york-city","category-pro-life","category-u-s-constitution","tag-aclj","tag-aclu","tag-crisis-pregnancy-centers","tag-first-amendment","tag-free-speech","tag-lawsuit","tag-mayor-bloomberg","tag-naral","tag-new-york-city","tag-planned-parenthood","tag-pro-abortion-legislation","tag-pro-life","tag-second-circuit-court-of-appeals"],"yoast_head":"\nRound 2: Fight to Prevent Shutdown of Pregnancy Centers Continues - Faith & Justice<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/2011\/07\/round-2-fight-to-prevent-shutdown-of-pregnancy-centers-continues.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Round 2: Fight to Prevent Shutdown of Pregnancy Centers Continues - Faith & Justice\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Last week I told you about a major victory in our lawsuit to prevent the shutdown of pro-life pregnancy centers. 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He is also Chief Counsel of the European Centre for Law and Justice (ECLJ). Jay Sekulow is one of the leading defenders of constitutional rights and religious liberties in the United States. Over the past 25 years, Jay Sekulow has amassed an unparalleled record of accomplishment, arguing before the U.S. Supreme Court on 12 occasions. His aggressive litigation strategy before the Supreme Court has led to many landmark First Amendment victories. In his first case before the Supreme Court, Jews for Jesus, Jay Sekulow secured the right of religious groups to pass out tracks in airports. In Mergens, Jay Sekulow successfully protected the right of students to form Bible clubs and prayer groups on public school campuses. In Lamb\u2019s Chapel, Jay Sekulow cleared the way for churches to have equal access to public facilities in the same way that other groups are permitted to utilize those facilities. In the Bray and Operation Rescue cases, Jay Sekulow protected the free speech rights of pro-life advocates to be free from criminal prosecution for conveying their pro-life message. In McConnell v. FEC, Jay Sekulow protected the right of young people to engage in the political process by donating to the campaign of their choice. In Pleasant Grove, Jay Sekulow paved the way for governments to be able to display Ten Commandments monuments, and other monuments of their choosing, in public parks. Through the ACLJ, Jay Sekulow engages the political, legal, and cultural battles facing America today. He routinely works with Members of Congress, advising them on proposed legislation and representing them in critical legal matters. Jay Sekulow has also testified before Congress on the constitutionality of proposed legislation. Also, in addition to being a successful Supreme Court advocate, Jay Sekulow is a highly respected broadcaster. Jay Sekulow is the host of Jay Sekulow Live! which airs each weekday on over 850 radio stations nationwide, in addition Sirius and XM satellite radio. He brings insight and education to listeners daily through this national call-in radio program. He is also the host of the ACLJ This Week, the ACLJ\u2019s weekly television program. Jay Sekulow regularly appears on major media outlets, including FOX News, CNN, ABC, CBS, and NBC, where he is sought out for his vast experience in constitutional law and his unique insight into many of the pressing legal and political issues facing America today. He is frequently quoted in the nation's leading newspapers and often contributes opinion editorials to national publications. Jay Sekulow has also published numerous law review and other scholarly articles. Jay Sekulow has received numerous honors for his groundbreaking legal work in the area of free speech and religious liberties. The Legal Times has named Sekulow one of \u201cThe 90 Greatest Washington Lawyers of the Last 30 Years\u201d and the National Law Journal has twice named Sekulow one of the \u201c100 Most Influential Lawyers\u201d in the United States. In addition, TIME Magazine listed Jay Sekulow as one of the \"25 Most Influential Evangelicals\" in America. Jay Sekulow\u2019s legal work in defense of religious liberties and human rights extends beyond the United States, having founded the ECLJ in Strasbourg, France, which maintains consultative status with the United Nations. He has also opened offices in Pakistan, Africa, and Jerusalem, Israel. Jay Sekulow is a staunch defender of Israel, presenting arguments before the International Criminal Court at the Hague. His efforts in support of Israel\u2019s right to defend itself from terrorist attacks have been commended by Israeli government officials, one official stating, \"Jay was instrumentally-involved in projects that the President of Israel and the Prime Minister put on our national agenda.\" Jay Sekulow also has a passion for educating the next generation of religious liberty advocates. He is a member of the Regent University Law School Faculty as a Distinguished Professor of Law and routinely teaches courses on constitutional law and presents guest lectures. Jay Sekulow has also started educational programs in international human rights law in Strasbourg, France and at Handong University in South Korea. Jay Sekulow is a graduate of Mercer University, earning both a bachelor\u2019s degree and doctor of jurisprudence. Sekulow served on the editorial staff of the Mercer Law Review and graduated cum laude. He later earned a Ph.D. from Regent University, writing his dissertation on American Legal History. Jay Sekulow also serves on the Board of Trustees for The Supreme Court Historical Society in Washington, D.C. Jay Sekulow, ACLJ Chief Counsels full biography and video. Jay Sekulow on Facebook. Jay Sekulow on Twitter. Jay Sekulow on YouTube.","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/author\/jay_sekulow"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/667","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/401"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=667"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/667\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":678,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/667\/revisions\/678"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=667"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=667"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=667"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}