Case Involving Forced Government Speech to be Heard on June 15, 2011

Contact: Chris Slattery, Founder and President, EMC/Frontline Pregnancy Centers, 212-213-4690 Voice or Text, 914-224-5773 Voice Only, slatteryny@gmail.com

NEW YORK, June 15, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) and the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) have filed motions for a preliminary injunction blocking the implementation of the NYC Pregnancy Services Center Local Law 17 ( # 0-371a ) on behalf of Chris Slattery, Expectant Mother Care / EMC Frontline Pregnancy Care Centers and two other single site crisis pregnancy centers.

Oral arguments from the ACLJ and ADF will be heard in lower Manhattan at 2:30pm on Wednesday, June 15, 2011 in the Federal Courthouse located at 500 Pearl Street in Court Room 11D.  The plaintiff's attorneys have both filed briefs in support of the injunction The City of New York has responded with a 43 page brief which conspicuously ignores the finding of facts from two related Federal lawsuits in Maryland.

Similar legislation was struck down in two separate decisions by United States Deborah Chasanow and United States Federal Judges Marvin Garbis.  The courts ruled that the Government cannot, consistent with the First Amendment, require a "pro-life" pregnancy-related service center to post a sign that would essentially compel Government mandated speech.

"There's a concerted effort on behalf of pro-abortion organizations to systematically target and punish crisis pregnancy centers in cities across America," said CeCe Heil, senior counsel of the ACLJ. "The Baltimore ordinance was the first of its kind, and now other cities are following suit. We're hopeful that these laws, including the one in New York City that we're challenging in federal court, will ultimately be exposed for exactly what they do: violate the First Amendment rights of crisis pregnancy centers."

The true motivation of the NYC council may be in question due to extensive research by the plaintiffs in the case.

Pro-Life activists have uncovered video evidence indicating that NYC Speaker Christine Quinn pushed this legislation in retaliation for Congressional Republicans attempt to de-fund Planned Parenthood.

"This legislation aims to deny access to free information, assistance, and ultrasounds to pregnant women in need," stated EMC Frontline plaintiff Chris Slattery.  "Our video crews captured Speaker Quinn and other members of the City Council expressing their true motivation for this outrageous, unconstitutional law.  The real tragedy is that 41% of all pregnancies in NYC end with the death of an unborn child.  Mike Bloomberg and his abortion zealots on the City Council are merely acting to increase the numbers of abortions, and to prevent distraught expectant moms from getting the help they want and need," said Mr. Slattery in closing.

Chris Slattery is Founder and Director of EMC/ Frontline Pregnancy Centers, which operates 12 walk-in locations in New York City (www.emcfrontline.org).

PLEASE NOTE:  Chris Slattery will be attending the hearing in lower Manhattan at 500 Pearl Street in Court Room 11D at 2:30pm on Wednesday, June 15, 2011.  Mr. Slattery will also be available for live shots and interviews at that time.