SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., July 7, 2016 /
Christian Newswire/ -- Liberty Counsel's Chief Counsel Harry Mihet presented oral arguments in a San Francisco federal court requesting dismissal of the lawsuit filed by Planned Parenthood against Sandra "Susan" Merritt. Liberty Counsel argued that Planned Parenthood has no standing, no damages, no legal basis for the suit, which is only designed to silence Merritt's First Amendment rights. It also asks for Planned Parenthood to be held responsible for the fees and costs incurred by counsel.
Liberty Counsel is defending Merritt in both the criminal indictment in Texas and against Planned Parenthood's lawsuit in San Francisco. In the San Francisco suit, Planned Parenthood is using the "Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations" (RICO) law as a weapon to stop the undercover videos produced by the Center for Medical Progress that exposed Planned Parenthood's gruesome trade in baby body parts. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled several years ago that RICO cannot be used against pro-life picketers to silence free speech. Yet, that is the motive of Planned Parenthood in this case.
Planned Parenthood has unleashed a 15-count federal lawsuit in which it claims that Merritt and other pro-life activists are legally responsible for its loss of taxpayer funding and for $10 to $16 million in other losses. In one of the motions filed under California's law designed to protect citizens from Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation, Liberty Counsel points out the ridiculous nature of Planned Parenthood's claims and demonstrates that Planned Parenthood's losses were caused by its own gruesome, barbaric, unethical, and potentially unlawful practices – not by the courageous and constitutionally protected acts of a truth-teller who exposed those practices.
"Planned Parenthood is obviously abusing the law in a desperate attempt to silence Sandra Merritt. The Supreme Court has ruled that RICO cannot be used to silence free speech and that is precisely what Planned Parenthood is seeking to accomplish. Planned Parenthood will not succeed. This case should be dismissed," said Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel.
Liberty Counsel is an international nonprofit, litigation, education, and policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of life, and the family since 1989, by providing pro bono assistance and representation on these and related topics.
