New York City, N.Y., Jul 14, 2011 / 13:54 pm
A federal judge on July 13 temporarily barred New York City from enforcing a new law that would cripple crisis pregnancy centers with heavy fines and possible closures for failing to cite medical limitations.
“Pro-life pregnancy centers, which freely offer real help and hope to women and their preborn children, shouldn’t be punished by political allies of those who make their money aborting babies,” said attorney Matt Bowman of the Alliance Defense Fund, a Christian legal group.
On Wednesday, Judge William H. Pauley III called the new law “offensive to free speech principles” and halted its enactment while a lawsuit filed on behalf of two pregnancy care centers and a maternity home by the Alliance Defense Fund continues.
The law, titled Bill 371-A, was passed in March and backed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and City Council speaker Christine C. Quinn.