U.S. Justice Department to Face Off with Thomas More Society Attorneys Over Charges Against Denver Pro-Life Activist
Contact: Tom Ciesielka, 312-422-1333
DENVER, Dec. 19, 2011 /
Christian Newswire/ -- Thomas More Society attorneys have joined Kenneth Scott's legal team to defend him against the U.S. Attorney General's civil complaint that Scott violated the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE Act). In June, Scott was charged by the Attorney General with physical obstruction against patients and staff attempting to enter and exit the Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains.
The Attorney General's complaint claims that, because cars stopped to allow their occupants to speak with and receive literature from Scott, Scott was "obstructing" other traffic that might have wanted to pass, in violation of the FACE Act. The Thomas More Society will contend that Scott's actions are protected by the First Amendment.
"The Attorney General of the United States is taking us down a dangerous path in trying to criminalize leafleting and oral communication on the public right of way -- actions historically protected by the First Amendment," said Peter Breen, Thomas More Society executive director and legal counsel. "These charges appear calculated not to obtain justice but to scare pro-life people away from the same abortion clinics that strongly supported President Obama's electoral campaign. We intend to show that these charges are not merely false but frivolous."
About the Thomas More Society
Founded in 1997, the Thomas More Society is a national public interest law firm that exists to restore respect for life in law. Based in Chicago, the Thomas More Society defends the sanctity of human life, the family and religious liberty in courtrooms across the country. The Society is a nonprofit organization wholly supported by private donations. For more information or to support the work of the Thomas More Society, please visit www.thomasmoresociety.org
