Minneapolis, Minn., Jul 18, 2007 / 09:00 am
The Minnesota Supreme Court handed down an important ruling July 12 that reversed the convictions of pro-life protesters Ron Rudnick and Luke Otterstad.
Rudnick and Otterstad were convicted by a lower court for displaying large signs on an overpass on two occasions in the Twin Cities suburb of Anoka, Minnesota just weeks before the 2004 national elections.
One sign displayed a large color photo of the aborted infant, "Baby Malachi". Next to it was a large handwritten sign that branded a local Congressional candidate as "pro-abortion."
On both occasions, the pro-lifers were arrested and jailed by Anoka police, who also took their signs. Charges of "criminal nuisance" and a violation of Anoka's sign ordinance were upheld by a trial judge. Stiff fines and prison sentences were imposed. Chicago's Thomas More Society was asked to help and underwrote an appeal.