Georgia Atheists Decapitate, Eat Fetus (cookies)

This week, the North Georgia Skeptics Society held a pro-abortion rally at the University of North Georgia (UNG) displaying fetus-shaped cookies, which the atheists tore limb-from-limb (simulating abortion procedures) and bit the heads off while laughing.

“Abortion should remain legal because … my vagina is too pretty to let a fetus crawl out.”
-- Student's testimony

For background, read of the utter disregard of the human remains from abortions.

And read how feminists despise any humanization of fetuses.

-- From "Atheists display foetus-shaped cookies at university pro-abortion rally, horrifying students" by Jonah Hicap, Christian Today 4/23/16

UNG Students for Life posted the photos on its Facebook page, saying the images were distasteful.

"Personally, I cannot imagine why one of your members felt it a decent or clever thing to dismember baby cookies by breaking off their heads. Even to simply allow that on your table was tasteless, irresponsible, and vile—there is absolutely no removing yourself from that," wrote Carly McCurry, president of Students for Life, in a letter addressed to Skeptics Society on Facebook.

McCurry said another photo showed more dismembered baby heads in plastic containers with the eyes marked with red colour.

McCurry narrated that one professor yelled at her to leave and checked her permits while the Skeptics Society was openly playing loud rap music that discussed holding women down and raping them.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Campus pro-abortion display: Baby-shaped cookies with heads broken off" posted at The College Fix 4/20/16

Several social media posts detail an apparent pro-abortion rally at the University of North Georgia held last week at which cookies in the shape of babies were reportedly eaten and had their heads broken off.

The details emerged in part thanks to popular conservative blogger Matt Walsh, who received a tip from a campus source and sounded the alarm on Facebook this week. His campus source said some of the cookies were eaten.

“This is dark and disturbed in ways that can’t be fully described. I’ve been saying this about the pro-abortion movement for a long time. As much as you might want to give ‘pro-choicers’ the benefit of the doubt, the fact remains that they are advocating for the murder of human children. That is an insidious, terrible, deeply evil thing. And they are carrying it around with them in their hearts and in their souls,” Walsh continued.

A request for comment from the university’s campus media affairs office on Wednesday by The College Fix was not immediately returned.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Hillary Clinton Says Abortionists Must Defeat Christianity

Notre Dame Honors Pro-abortion VP—Students Protest

Notre Dame students say they will skip the May 15th commencement ceremonies if the university awards the Laetare Medal to Vice President Joe Biden or former Speaker of the House John Boehner because neither self-proclaimed Catholic politicians' actions warrant the honor.

“I don't think it makes sense to honor politicians for being politicians, but divorce that from the actual things they've done in office.”
-- Tom Bradley, student

“The purpose is to give it to someone who's been a faithful Catholic and has served the church in public life. And I don't believe that either of these two have done that exceptionally well.”
-- Hailey Vrdolyak, student

For background, read Vice President Biden Says 'Gay Rights' Trump Religious Beliefs and also Advocates Sexual Deviancy

Also read Vice President Biden Takes Communion in Rome, Pope Opposed and Bishops Chasten the VP

Click headlines below to read previous articles:

Notre Dame Rejects Students for Natural Marriage

Notre Dame Blesses Homosexual Student Organization

Notre Dame Pays Students for Homosexual Activism

Also read Catholics Blast Notre Dame for Honoring Barack Obama (the abortion president)



-- From "Notre Dame students hold pro-life prayer service in response to Laetare Medal controversy" by Michelle Beck, WNDU-TV16 (South Bend, IN) 4/18/16

Students argued that although both men are Catholic, they don't have a strong record of supporting pro-life legislation.

In an afternoon of prayer and songs near the grotto, the students say they think the university should honor more deserving candidates.

Notre Dame leaders say the award is not an endorsement of either man's political beliefs, but is a celebration of their ability to compromise and work together in DC.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Pro-Life Students Hold Prayer Vigil to Protest Notre Dame Honoring Joe Biden, John Boehner" by Michael Gryboski, Christian Post Reporter 4/18/16

[Last Sunday, about 100] Pro-life students at Notre Dame University held a prayer vigil to showcase their opposition to the Catholic school honoring Vice President Joe Biden and former House Speaker John Boehner due to the two politicians' views on abortion and the death penalty.

According to the Notre Dame Students for Life's official club statement, "by awarding the Laetare Medal to these leaders, the university has in fact compromised its Catholic identity."

"Vice President Biden has supported pro-choice politics, the death penalty and therapeutic cloning of embryos. While former Speaker of the House John Boehner is pro-life on the issue of abortion, he, too, has supported the death penalty," stated the club.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Notre Dame students holding ‘prayerful protest’ this weekend over Biden award" by Claire Chretien, LifeSiteNews 4/15/16

The student groups Notre Dame Right to Life, the Identity Project of Notre Dame, the Irish Rover student newspaper, Militia of the Immaculata, Jus Vitae, the St. Thomas More Society, and the Catholic Graduate Community are sponsoring the event, during which prayers will be offered “for a greater respect for human life, and especially for Notre Dame's commitment to its Catholic identity and to protecting the sanctity of life at all stages.”

[Bishop Kevin] Rhoades said bestowing the Laetare Award on Biden could “provoke scandal” by giving the impression “that one can be ‘a good Catholic’ while also supporting or advocating for positions that contradict our fundamental moral and social principles and teachings.”

“I also question the propriety of honoring a public official who was a major spokesman for the redefinition of marriage,” Rhoades said. “The Church has continually urged public officials, especially Catholics, of the grave and clear obligation to oppose any law that supports or facilitates abortion or that undermines the authentic meaning of marriage. I disagree with awarding someone for ‘outstanding service to the Church and society’ who has not been faithful to this obligation.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Jenkins defends Laetare Medal decision" by Katie Galioto, The Observer (ND student newspaper) 4/15/16

[University President Fr. John Jenkins said,] “. . . I thought it was an opportunity to recognize people who had risen to the very highest level of political leadership. For their dedication to public service, their willingness to work with others for the common good, we recognize them with the Laetare.”

“I do want, with this award, to fight against the tendency that those who disagree with us are necessarily evil or worthy only of our disdain,” he said. “We can disagree — and even disagree on significant moral issues — and still find laudable qualities in those with whom we disagree.”

“I’m certainly not saying that I support all the Vice President’s positions,” he said. “But I do find, in the record, that he took account of his Catholic faith, even while trying to make decisions on legislation — that’s often complex in a nation on issues on which the nation is deeply divided.”

Ultimately, Jenkins said he thinks a public servant can exemplify what it means to be a Catholic leader, regardless of his or her political affiliation.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Catholic Bishops Warn Voting for Democrats is 'Grave Sin'

From "The Little Sisters vs. Notre Dame" by William McGurn, Wall Street Journal 4/4/16

[The Little Sisters of the Poor were] at Notre Dame to accept an award from the Center for Ethics and Culture for their work upholding the worth and dignity of every human life.

The Little Sisters are front and center in the challenge to the Affordable Care Act mandate that requires them to change their health-care plan to offer employees contraceptives, sterilization procedures and abortion-inducing drugs—all contrary to Catholic teaching. The Little Sisters argue the administration is forcing them to choose between their faith and the loving care they provide men and women too old or too poor to care for themselves.

. . . Not only does Vice President Biden have a long and loud public record in opposition to Catholic teaching on abortion and marriage, he is the second-highest official in an administration that Notre Dame has accused in court of forcing it to “violate its own conscience.”

. . . All in all, it’s a sad message Notre Dame sends: Principles are a fine thing—just don’t let them get in the way of a comfortable place in society.

To read the entire opinion column above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Pope Francis Blasts Liberal 'christians' as Pagans

Pro-abortionists Went 0 for 2 in Court Yesterday

In two unrelated court cases, judges dealt blows yesterday to the abortion industry.  A federal judge in Detroit dismissed an attempt by the ACLU to force Catholic hospitals to perform abortions, and a judge in Illinois upheld the First Amendment rights of a pro-life organization to distribute fliers exposing the gruesome business of dumping babies in landfills.

For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:

ACLU Sues Catholic Hospitals to Force Abortions

Babies Dumped in Landfills: South Carolina, Kentucky, Ohio

Aborted Babies Incinerated to Produce Waste Heat

Babies in Dumpsters Closes Michigan Abortion Clinics

South Carolina Abortion Licenses Suspended over Baby Disposal

-- From "Hospital with anti-abortion policy wins decision in lawsuit" by The Associated Press 4/11/16

Detroit federal Judge Gershwin Drain says the American Civil Liberties Union and its members have no standing to sue Trinity Health Corp. In a 13-page decision Monday, he said the ACLU failed to explain what medical conditions would place their members at risk or if they are currently at risk.

The judge says any harm is "speculative."

An attorney for Trinity, Kevin Theriot, says no one should be forced to perform abortions. The ACLU says it's considering its next step.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Judge throws out abortion lawsuit against Catholic hospital group" by Khalil AlHajal, mlive.com 4/11/16

The American Civil Liberties Union filed the lawsuit on behalf of its members last year, calling for an injunction against the anti-abortion policies of Trinity Health Corporation, a Livonia-based health care group with 90 hospitals that adhere to directives of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

ACLU lawyers pointed specifically to one member who was denied abortion procedures at a Trinity hospital despite suffering "emergency complications during her pregnancy that required the termination of her pregnancy in order to stabilize her condition."

The lawsuit also argued that other pregnant members were "at risk of suffering similar harm should their pregnancies suffer complications in the future."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Health system wins suit over emergency abortion policy" posted at The Detroit News 4/11/16

In his ruling, [Judge] Drain said the ACLU did not provide enough specific proof of harm to its members to give the organization standing to sue.

“Therefore, even assuming that the complaint contains sufficient factual matter to establish past actual harm — considering the vagueness of the allegation, this is dubious — the allegations of past exposure to defendants’ illegal conduct is not sufficient to create standing,” he wrote.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Court Dismisses ACLU Lawsuit Attempting to Force Catholic Hospital to Do Abortions" by Steven Ertelt and Emily Derois, LifeNews 4/11/16

Alliance Defending Freedom [ADF] attorneys represent the Catholic Medical Association, the Christian Medical and Dental Associations, and the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, which the court allowed on March 10 to intervene in the case in defense of Trinity Health Corporation. Trinity Health operates 86 facilities in 21 states.

“No American should be forced to commit an abortion—least of all faith-based medical workers who went into the profession to follow their faith and save lives, not take them,” said ADF Senior Counsel Kevin Theriot. “No law requires religious hospitals and medical personnel to commit abortions against their faith and conscience, and, in fact, federal law directly prohibits the government from engaging in any such coercion. As we argued in our brief to the court, the ACLU had no standing to bring this suit and demand this kind of government coercion.”

“Those who doubt that anyone would ever try to force someone to commit an abortion need only look at this case,” explained ADF Senior Counsel Matt Bowman. “This is precisely what the ACLU sought to do. The court came to the right conclusion in putting an end to their quest. The ruling relies on important case law that our pro-life medical group clients cited showing that the ACLU’s case was based on pure speculation.”

“Forcing health care workers to act contrary to the very faith and ethical convictions that led them into the medical profession—to serve, help, and bring healing to people—is counterproductive, unnecessary, and against the law,” Bowman continued.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Judge refuses to stop anti-abortion fliers targeting CEO" by The Associated Press 4/11/16

Lake County [Illinois] Associate Judge Margaret Marcouiller ruled Monday that the Ohio-based group Created Equal can keep distributing fliers that show pictures of an aborted fetus and a Lake Forest [Illinois] resident, and also include the executive's home address.

The fliers have been left with neighbors of Charles Alutto, who heads Stericycle, a medical waste company.

Created Equal says Stericycle "enables baby killing" by transporting medical waste from a Planned Parenthood facility in Ohio

Marcouiller said Monday that "even insulting and outrageous speech must be tolerated."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Judge refuses to stop anti-abortion fliers targeting Lake Forest CEO" by Susan Berger, Chicago Tribune 4/12/16

Created Equal Executive Director Mark Harrington called the court ruling a victory and said the campaign, which includes fliers, mobile billboards and postcards, will continue.

"If Stericycle wants to stop our awareness campaign, they simply need to cease transporting and disposing of aborted babies for Planned Parenthood," Harrington said.

Despite denying the emergency order, the judge said she will take up the issue again and gave the plaintiffs two weeks to update and resubmit their complaint.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Stericycle loses bid to stop campaign exposing it for transporting aborted babies’ remains" by Ben Johnson, LifeSiteNews 4/11/16

Stericycle's “regulated medical waste acceptance policy” states that the company does not accept “complete human remains (including heads, full torsos, and fetuses).”

Mark Harrington, the national director of Created Equal says the company is playing a game of semantics.

“However, babies are not 'complete' after being dismembered, decapitated, and disemboweled in standard abortion methods,” Harrington said. “Their broken parts and torn tissue are categorized by Stericycle as 'pathological waste,'” which the company willingly transports.

He wrote a letter to Alutto on February 10 with a sample flier that would be handed out in his community to raise awareness of Stericycle's actions. It included Alutto's home address and business phone number. If the company would stop providing services to abortionists, Harrington said, he would not go forward with the campaign.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Colo. Thousands March on Abortionist, Media Ignore

The media entirely missed about 2,000 Catholics quietly surrounding Planned Parenthood in Stapleton, Colorado ten days ago with Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila leading a Eucharistic procession seven times around the murderous clinic praying for mothers, unborn children, and people who work there.

“Silence is an essential part of the procession as we unite our voices with those who have been silenced by abortion.”
-- Father Scott Bailey

For background, read America Protests Planned Parenthood, Media Ignore

Click headlines below to read previous articles:

Pro-lifers March on Washington, D.C. Amid Government Shutdown

Abortion Prayer Vigil Nationwide: 40 Days for Life

Florida Police Let Abortionists Prohibit Prayer

-- From "Over 2,000 People Surround Huge Planned Parenthood Abortion Clinic With Prayer" by Emily Derois, LifeNews.com 3/14/16

The many enthusiastic pro-lifers who joined the procession began to pour into the street as the event began, according to the report. Karna Swanson, communications director for the archdiocese, said the turn-out was much larger than they expected.

“We were honestly expecting 500-800 people,” Swanson said. “Three times that number showed up. This provided a bit of a challenge for us logistically, as 1,800 people don’t exactly fit on the sidewalk of a city block.”

Swanson continued, “We wanted to make sure everyone who wanted to participate could, but we also didn’t want to give any reason for the police department to shut the event down.” Fortunately, local off-duty police were there to ensure the crowd didn’t impede traffic, according to the report.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Eucharistic procession draws nearly 2,000 at Planned Parenthood" by Aaron Lambert, Denver Catholic posted at Catholic News Agency 3/10/16

“It was truly a moment of grace, a moment of blessing, a moment of praying to our Lord that hearts may be changed,” Archbishop Aquila said. “It was wonderful to see how many turned out today.”

To ensure the sacred nature of the Eucharistic procession, the archdiocesan liturgy office set the tone for the event and organized the logistics of the transferring the Eucharist to the site, in addition to providing prayer books for those in attendance.

Seminarians from St. John Vianney Theological Seminary led the people in the hymns and prayers each time the procession passed around the building. They also assisted with crowd management.

Families with young children were well-represented in the crowd, as well as religious sisters. The Nashville Dominicans, the Sisters of Life and the Missionary Sisters of St. Charles Borromeo were all present. Dozens of seminarians were on hand from both of the seminaries of Denver, as well as many members of the clergy.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read The Murder Trial the Media Won't Report

And read Doctors Report that Abortion Causes Breast Cancer — Media Silent

Florida Police Let Abortionists Prohibit Prayer

After a challenge from pro-life lawyers, police in Hollywood, Florida now claim they never told Christians that the government would support attempts by the local abortion clinic to force eviction of praying pro-lifers from the public sidewalk at the clinic.

"It's not loud prayer. It's simply praying for the unborn child and for women."
-- John Hickey, Volunteer, 40 Days for Life Hollywood

For background, read Maine Sues Pastor for Preaching Too Loud on Abortion, but Court Orders Portland, Maine to Pay $56,500 for Muzzling Pro-lifer

Also read U.S. Supreme Court Rules Unanimously that Christians are Free to Speak near Abortion Clinics

Click headlines below to read previous articles:

Christians Arrested for Praying Too Loud Near Chicago Abortion Clinic

Pastor's Wife Fined for Praying Too Loud in North Dakota

California Law Forces Abortion Business on Pro-lifers

Also read Pro-lifers March on Washington, D.C. Amid Government Shutdown

And read how public schools across America muzzle pro-life students and ban pro-life student clubs.

-- From "Antiabortion Protesters Say Hollywood Police Violated Their Constitutional Rights" by Jerry Iannelli, New Times Broward-Palm Beach 2/22/16

Representatives from Hollywood, Florida's 40 Days for Life chapter say that five times over the past three years, the group has, successfully and without incident, held prayer vigils outside A Woman's Center of Hollywood, an abortion provider located on Hollywood Boulevard. During such vigils, group members pray and try to educate women about alternatives to abortion.

But on February 10, three group members claim, a Hollywood Police officer ordered them off a sidewalk, violating their constitutional rights of free speech and assembly. While they are now demanding an apology from the police department, the department claims the protesters had actually been trespassing on private property.

. . . The group provided documentation that shows it applied for a permit to assemble outside the center from February 10 to March 20.

The group says three or four people were praying outside the center for 12 hours a day, each day.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Florida police block pro-life peaceful protest at abortion clinic, Thomas More Society responds" posted at The Global Dispatch 2/19/16

Thomas More Society attorneys have sent a letter to the City of Hollywood, Florida, and the Hollywood Police Department challenging a police officer’s recent order forbidding pro-lifers from standing on a public sidewalk in front of a clinic that performs abortions, apparently at the clinic’s request. On the first day of the Spring 40 Days for Life prayer vigil outside A Woman’s Center of Hollywood abortion facility, Officer Del Castillo of the Hollywood Police Department told pro-life volunteers that they could not stand on the public sidewalk in front of the abortion clinic. Thomas More Society contends that this demand is a blatant violation of the pro-lifers’ First Amendment rights.

This is the third year that volunteers participating in the 40 Days for Life Hollywood prayer vigils have had a peaceful presence on the public property – including both the sidewalk and swale (grassy area between the street and sidewalk) – outside A Woman’s Center. However, last week, on the first day of this years’ campaign, Officer Del Castillo of the Hollywood Police Department told the pro-lifers that they could not stand on the public sidewalk because the clinic had said they did not want the pro-lifers there.  He stated that the abortion clinic has the right to determine who may and may not stand on the sidewalk in front of its building.  He implied that if this order was not obeyed, pro-lifers could be ticketed.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Thomas More Society Challenges Public Sidewalk Restriction at Abortion Clinic" posted at Christian Newswire 2/17/16

"Forbidding pro-lifers from standing on public property violates 75 years of clear Supreme Court precedent that gives broad protections to those engaging in free speech in public places," said Corrina Konczal, Thomas More Society Associate Counsel. "We are confident that, once the city and Chief of Police are made aware of this officer's unconstitutional ban, that they will reverse this order and assure our clients of their rights to publicly pray and hold signs on any sidewalk in the city."

. . . The attorneys' missive notes specifically that "Officer Del Castillo's order is a clearly unconstitutional restriction of our clients' freedom of speech in a traditional public forum – a public sidewalk." The letter requests a response from the city and police department by this Friday.

"We should not be banned from the public sidewalk just because we're pro-life," said John Hickey, a 40 Days for Life Hollywood volunteer. "We're exercising our First Amendment rights by holding a peaceful prayer vigil to help women and unborn children. Hopefully, Officer Del Castillo's supervisors will reverse his incorrect order so that our free speech will be respected for the rest of the 40 Days vigil."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Federal Judge Censors Pro-life Ads on Indiana Buses

And read Oregon Woman Fired for Being Pro-life Leader

Fed. Judge Censors Pro-life Ads on Indiana Buses

Women's Health Link is appealing a federal district court decision that allows the Fort Wayne Public Transportation Corp. to deny the women's health organization from advertising on Citilink public buses because the ads "express or advocate opinions or positions upon political, religious, or moral issues."

"Women's Health Link hasn't shown that Citilink's advertising policy was anything other than reasonable and viewpoint neutral."
-- Judge Robert L. Miller Jr.

For background, read how governments and schools discriminate against pro-lifers, but also read how courts have ruled against such discrimination.

And for ads on buses in Des Moines, Iowa: It's OK to Denigrate God, but NOT OK to Advocate God

And read Jesus Advertisement Censored by Texas School, Says Lawsuit

-- From "Women's Health Link appeals Citilink ad decision" By Sheryl Krieg, The News-Sentinel (Fort Wayne, IN) 2/5/16

Women's Health Link filed the lawsuit in September 2014, alleging Citilink violated its constitutional rights, specifically the First and 14th amendments, by refusing to display an advertisement/public service announcement for its free referral service for women seeking "life-affirming health care related services."

[Judge] Miller also said, "Citilink has a detailed advertising policy limiting advertising in its buses to commercial advertisements and public service announcements that comply with the restrictions set out in section 1 of that policy and don't 'express or advocate opinions or positions upon political, religious, or moral issues,' and so far as this record shows, Citilink has consistently enforced that policy."

Kevin Theriot, Alliance Defending Freedom Senior Counsel, said, "City officials can't run ads from non-profit groups, such as the United Way, and then single out Women's Health Link's nearly identical ad for censorship. The First Amendment protects freedom of speech for all people, regardless of their political or religious views. Because government has a responsibility to ensure equal access to community advertising, we have filed this appeal and hope the 7th Circuit [Court of Appeals in Chicago] will reverse District Court's decision."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Pregnancy Center Fights Back After City Censors Ad for Helping Women Find Abortion Alternatives" by Steven Ertelt, LifeNews.com 2/5/16

The case began in 2013 when Women’s Health Link asked to place advertising cards in the interior of the city public transportation company Citilink’s buses, LifeNews previously reported. Citilink denied the request twice, saying that Women’s Health Link is associated with Allen County Right to Life, a pro-life organization, and that the Women’s Health Link website discusses “controversial issues.”

Citilink reportedly has permitted many non-profit and government organizations to place public service announcements with various messages in the interior of their buses, including the state of Indiana, Parkview Health and the United Way.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Women's health group appeals decision in Citilink case" Rebecca S. Green, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette 2/4/16

According to court documents, the 11-by-17-inch ad would cost $524 for three months and says "You are not alone" and "Free resources for women seeking health care" on either side of the smiling face of a young woman, with the organization's website and telephone number on a banner below.

Citilink officials rejected the proposed ad on two occasions, saying their attorneys believed that the organization's website dealt with "controversial issues," according to court documents.

The woman who submitted the advertisement on behalf of Women's Health Link [Beck Rogness] was on the organization's board of directors and also was communications manager for Allen County Right to Life, according to court documents.

Women's Health Link and Allen County Right to Life share email addresses and a physical address.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "1 simple statement gets health ad banned" by Bob Unruh, World Net Daily 2/7/16

The Women’s Health Link site promotes itself as a referral resource “for women seeking physical, emotional, spiritual or mental health care.”

. . . [Citilink’s assistant manager, Betsy] Kachmar notified Rogness that the ad failed to meet the “commercial requirement” of the agency.

So the request was resubmitted under the agency’s provision for “public service announcements by government entities, academic institutions, or nonprofit organizations.”

[However, under that provision, the] agency contended the women’s health care ad was not neutral.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Click headlines below to read previous articles:

Office Depot Refuses Pro-life Customer in Illinois

Oregon Woman Fired for Being Pro-life Leader

Maine Sues Pastor: Preaching Too Loud on Abortion

California Law Forces Abortion Business on Pro-lifers

Oregon Woman Fired for Being Pro-life Leader

After working four years at Sparkling Palaces, a Portland small business, Harmony Daws was fired from her position as operations manager when she told her employer, and close friend, that she had become a pro-life activist and her employer had read Daws' online writings.

“What my employer did was illegal. Firing someone based on their religious or political beliefs is a civil rights violation. I’m a libertarian and I support my former employer’s right to hire and fire as she chooses. However, she could have asked for a resignation over our difference of beliefs.”
-- Harmony Daws, President, Board of Directors, Oregon Right to Life

For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:

Georgia Teacher Ousted for Teaching Obama's Pro-abortion

Iowa Newspaper Editor, Fired for Being Christian, Sues

Internet CEO Forced to Resign for Being Christian

Office Depot Refuses Christian Pro-life Customer in Illinois

Also read how schools and governments discriminate against pro-lifers.

-- From "Oregon Right to Life president says politics cost her job" by Steven DuBois, The Associated Press 1/26/16

Daws says her boss was concerned that she’d discriminate against those who don’t share her beliefs.

Daws says she never considered someone’s views on abortion when hiring them to clean houses.

Federal laws prohibit employers from firing workers because of gender, race or religion, but there is no such protection for political activity.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Pro-Life Advocate Fired From Her Job After Telling Her Boss She’s Pro-Life" by Liberty Pike, LifeNews.com 1/25/16

. . . her boss came to her again and told her to never mention her pro-life work. Her employer was cold and distant for the following week and a half until Friday when she fired Harmony for being a “discriminator” and for Harmony’s beliefs that she saw online, apparently including her blog and the ORTL website.

Employees who worked under Harmony varied in beliefs and lifestyles, including a Satanist, a Wiccan, a lesbian, and atheists too. Upon hearing of her firing, several of them told her they had never felt discriminated against in any way. They said she “loved everyone.” It was because of Harmony’s work running the daily operations of the company that her boss went from struggling to make payroll for three employees to a team of 14 employees with projected 2016 sales of over $500,000.

Had the situation been reversed in today’s political climate and Harmony had fired someone for their belief that abortion should be legal, it is virtually guaranteed they would have sued her for discrimination. . . .

To read the entire opinion column above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Christian Businesses Must Employ Atheists, Judge Rules

And read Michigan Dentist Sued for Playing Christian Music

Pro-lifers March on D.C. Amid Government Shutdown

Federal bureaucrats closed Washington D.C. on Friday in the face of the deadly winter weather front closing in on the city, but tens of thousands of citizens braved the weather in D.C. for the 43rd annual March for Life to denounce the deadly politics of Roe v. Wade that is responsible for killing scores of millions of unborn children.  The national mainstream media was virtually absent the event and only one 2016 presidential candidate showed up — a woman!

“The establishment media and political class don’t want us to talk about what the abortion industry is doing. You saw what happened when I talked about the horrific truth of the planned parenthood videos during a Republican debate. Unlike the media, you’ve watched the videos. You’ve seen an aborted baby, it’s legs kicking, it’s heart beating while the technician describes how they would keep these babies alive to harvest their organs.”
-- Carly Fiorina, Republican presidential candidate, at the March for Life

For background, read Planned Parenthood Caught Selling Aborted Babies on Video

Also read 'Free' Abortions Promised by Hillary Clinton for Planned Parenthood Endorsement





Also read President Obama Praises Abortion as Americans March Against It

-- From "As DC shuts down for a blizzard, a small, faithful crowd still joins the March for Life" by Michelle Boorstein, Washington Post 1/22/16

With much of the D.C. region in the midst of complete shut-down frenzy – grocery and sled stores were packed, though downtown D.C. was quiet — for what is predicted to be a historic snow storm, city officials had suggested to the March for Life organizers that they prioritize participants’ safety – what sounded like a hint to cancel. But actual snow held off for the first hour or so of the event, giving protesters a chance to rally at the foot of the Washington Monument, before the temperatures plunged and the snow began to fall as the march up to the Supreme Court began.

The overall scene was dramatically smaller than normal, with usually-crowded sidewalks and lawns all along the Mall instead dotted with protesters, including nuns and priests in their garb and packs of Catholic school students holding signs and wearing hats that matched their group. Evangelical leaders made a concerted effort this year to bring their activists to what is traditionally a strongly Catholic event and several national evangelical leaders spoke from the stage to the rally.

Among those in the crowd was Richard Stith, 71, an Indiana law professor who called himself a part of a segment he dubbed “lefties for life” — Catholics whom he said support issues like the death penalty and LGBT rights as part of “a consistent ethic for life.” He said he had been a member of a group called Socialists for Life as well and always felt welcome at the march.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Snowstorm keeps turnout low, but spirits stay high at March for Life" by Bradford Richardson, The Hill 1/22/16

Tens of thousands of the movement’s faithful — made up largely of high school and college students outfitted in matching jackets, scarves or hats — took to the streets to protest on the 43rd anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion.

Event organizers also took notice [of the youthful demographic], passing out signs proclaiming the arrival of the “Pro-Life Generation.”

“A lot of us are young people — the pro-life generation — who care about life from womb to tomb,” said Victor Esposito, 20, who was with a group of students from Catholic University of America wearing red embroidered scarves.

“There’s come this recognition that as more and more science and technology comes out, we begin to recognize that life really does start at conception,” he added.

The theme of the March, “Pro-life and pro-women go hand in hand,” sought to emphasize the gender diversity of the anti-abortion-rights movement, challenging the narrative that opposition to abortion constitutes a “war on women.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Fiorina becomes pro-life favorite through struggling presidential bid" by Paige Winfield Cunningham, Washington Examiner 1/22/16

In her trademark pointed and articulate style, Fiorina launched an attack on abortion rights and the groups that promote them . . . "You can scream and throw condoms at me all day long — you cannot scare me," Fiorina said, to cheers from the crowd of activists gathered on the National Mall. "I know the value of life."

While nearly all of Fiorina's Republican opponents hold the same positions on abortion, favoring more restrictions on it and backing recent efforts by Congress to block public funding for Planned Parenthood, Fiorina has eagerly embraced the topic in a way the others haven't.

"Ideological feminism now shuts down conversation on college campuses and in the media," Fiorina said at the March for Life. "If you are a conservative who doesn't believe the litany of the Left, you are waging a war on women."

There's broad feeling among the anti-abortion movement that it needs more focus on how abortion affects women, partially to counter the "war on women" messaging that Democrats, Planned Parenthood and other supporters of abortion rights have pushed. Fiorina agrees with that goal.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Maine Sues Pastor: Preaching Too Loud on Abortion

Maine Attorney General Janet Mills filed a civil rights lawsuit against Lisbon Pastor Brian Ingalls for peacefully preaching a pro-life message outside a Planned Parenthood facility in Portland. Abortionists appealed to the pro-abortion Democrat AG saying that pregnant mothers inside their facility could hear the pastor's concerns about “murdering babies, aborted babies’ blood and Jesus.”

For background, read Court Orders Portland to Pay $56,500 for Muzzling Pro-lifer





-- From "Maine sues anti-abortion protester, claiming he shouts too loud" by Dave Sherwood, Reuters 11/10/15

"All patients have the right to receive medical services free of 'the cacophony of political protests,' in the words of the United States Supreme Court," Mills, a Democrat, said in a statement. "While protesters have every right to say anything they want in a public area in the vicinity of a medical facility, they are not permitted to disrupt another citizen's healthcare services."

Maine law protects the right of any person to receive "safe and effective" medical services without disruptions caused by loud noises.

According to the complaint, police warned Ingalls to keep his voice down so that he would not be heard inside, but he continued yelling anyway.

The lawsuit would prevent Ingalls, a regular protester at the clinic, from coming within 50 feet (15 m) of the facility.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Maine sues Planned Parenthood foe, says he yelled too loudly" by Patrick Whittle, Associated Press 11/11/15

Attorney General Janet Mills filed the complaint against Brian Ingalls, 26, under the state's civil rights act. Mills said he violated the rights of patients at the Portland facility on Oct. 23 when the sound of his voice directed to the second floor disrupted counseling sessions between staff and patients.

Ingalls, of Lisbon, declined to comment when reached by email. His attorney, Erin Kuenzig, said it's a "baseless lawsuit" filed to circumvent a U.S. Supreme Court ruling about protester buffer zones. . . . The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2014 that similar buffer zones in Massachusetts violated free speech rights.

"They're trying to claim that it's some kind of safety concern that he was preaching the Bible on a public sidewalk," Kuenzig said. "Just completely meritless."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "AG accuses man of civil rights violations during Planned Parenthood protest" by Christopher Cousins, Staff, Bangor Daily News 11/10/15

The suit filed in Cumberland County Superior Court alleges that Ingalls frequently is a protester at the Portland Planned Parenthood location and on Oct. 23 “was yelling up toward the second floor of the building at 443 Congress St. about murdering babies, aborted babies’ blood and Jesus.”

Erin Kuenzig is with the Thomas More Law Center, which is representing Ingalls in this suit. She said that Mills’ suit is an attempt to rehash a prior legal battle the law center fought against Portland when the city tried and ultimately failed to implement a 39-foot buffer zone for protests around Planned Parenthood’s Congress Street location.

“The complaint that was filed was completely meritless and just an attempt to circumvent the court ruling issued in October,” Kuenzig said by phone Tuesday. “This is essentially another buffer zone. … It’s clear that Planned Parenthood doesn’t like what Mr. Ingalls is saying, and he’s simply a Christian who is preaching from the Bible.”

Kuenzig said one flaw in the complaint is that there is no guideline about how loud someone can protest.

“There’s no way to judge that,” she said. “This is just another way to try to silence pro-life advocates outside the abortion clinic.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Click headlines below to read previous articles:

Pastor's Wife Fined for Praying Too Loud in North Dakota

Christians Arrested for Praying Too Loud Near Chicago Abortion Clinic

Indiana Town Denounces Loud, Praying Christians

Missouri Police Steal Preacher's Amplifier to Shut Him Up

Pastor Arrested in California for Reading Bible in Public

Christian Jailed in Texas for Witnessing on Sidewalk

Buffalo, NY Police Boot Christian from Festival for Talking

Jesus Talk Outlawed in New Orleans, Arrests Made

Preacher Arrested: 'Breach of the Peace' on Street

Virginia Police Halt Bible 'Noise,' Preacher Sues City & Wins

Pastor Wins Free Speech Lawsuit Over California Mall

Police Say Prayer Illegal Outside U.S. Supreme Court Building

Christians Arrested for Praying at Gay Festival

Praying Mother Banned from School Grounds in New Hampshire

Pro-lifers Muzzled — Maine City Must Pay $56,500

As a result of a consent judgment approved by Judge Nancy Torresen of the U.S. District Court in Portland, Maine, the city of Portland will pay legal fees of pro-lifers who were barred from public property near the Planned Parenthood abortion clinic by an unconstitutional ordinance.

“This judgment is significant because it is a formal and binding legal recognition that the city of Portland violated the plaintiffs’ First Amendment rights through its ‘buffer zone’ ordinance. There was no legitimate basis for banning the plaintiffs and other law-abiding citizens from using the public sidewalk surrounding Planned Parenthood’s abortion clinic during the company’s business hours.”
-- Erin Kuenzig, Attorney with the Thomas More Law Center in Michigan

For background, read U.S. Supreme Court Rules Unanimously that Christians are Free to Speak near Abortion Clinics

Click headlines below to read previous articles:

Government Pays $275,000 for Pro-lifers' False Arrests

Idaho University Pays $20,000 to Unmuzzle Pro-lifers

Wyoming Pays $30,000 for Censoring Pro-life Posters

Harassment of Pro-lifers Costs Illinois City $$

Ohio College Pays $9,000 for Censoring Pro-life Free Speech

-- From "Portland settles lawsuit bought by anti-abortion activists over no-protest zone ordinance" by The Associated Press 10/21/15

The city of Portland has settled a lawsuit filed by anti-abortion activists challenging an ordinance that established a 39-foot no-protest zone around a clinic providing abortions.

The suit alleged that the ordinance, responsible for creating the buffer zone around a Planned Parenthood location's entrance, violated their free speech rights. A 2014 U.S. Supreme Court ruling established that a similar no-protest zone in Massachusetts was in violation of free speech rights.

The Portland City Council repealed the ordinance in question soon after, but a judge determined that protesters could still seek damages for when the buffer zone was in effect.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Portland settles lawsuit, must pay abortion protesters’ legal fees" by Scott Dolan, Staff Writer, Portland Press Herald 10/21/15

Jessica Grondin, spokeswoman for the city of Portland, said the City Council “acted swiftly” by repealing the city ordinance at its first meeting after the Supreme Court ruled in the Massachusetts case.

An attorney for the activists – Daniel and Marguerite Fitzgerald of Shapleigh and their children and Richmond resident Leslie Sneddon – said last year, after the city repealed its buffer zone ordinance, that they wanted to continue the federal court litigation against the city to set a precedent.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "High court voids abortion clinic protest-free zone" by Mark Sherman, Associated Press 6/26/14

The Supreme Court unanimously struck down the 35-foot protest-free zone outside abortion clinics in Massachusetts Thursday [June 2014], declaring it an unconstitutional restraint on the free-speech rights of protesters.

While the court was unanimous in the overall outcome, [Chief Justice John] Roberts joined with the four liberal justices to strike down the buffer zone on narrower grounds than the other, more conservative justices wanted.

In a separate opinion, Justice Antonin Scalia criticized Roberts’ opinion as carrying forward “this court’s practice of giving abortion-rights advocates a pass when it comes to suppressing the free-speech rights of their opponents.”

Scalia said state and local governments around the country would continue to be able to “restrict antiabortion speech without fear of rigorous constitutional review.” Joined by Justices Anthony Kennedy and Clarence Thomas, Scalia dissented from the Colorado decision and said Thursday he would have overturned it.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Judge dismisses most of lawsuit over since-repealed abortion clinic buffer zone" by Seth Koenig, Bangor Daily News Staff 10/27/14

A federal judge on Monday declared most aspects of a lawsuit against the city of Portland moot, pointing out that the abortion clinic buffer zone being challenged in the lawsuit was repealed by the city months ago.

But U.S. District Court Judge Nancy Torresen stopped short of dismissing the lawsuit in its entirety, leaving alive a motion by the plaintiffs, a group of anti-abortion protesters, to seek nominal damages from the city for the period of time in which they weren’t allowed to demonstrate near the clinic on Congress Street.

City officials and Planned Parenthood representatives said the buffer zone protected the civil rights of patients to access health care services, and they accused the anti-abortion demonstrators of being intimidating and belligerent to individuals approaching the facility.

The protesters argued the buffer zone infringed upon their constitutionally protected right to free speech. The demonstrators said allegations of aggressive behavior were overblown, as evidenced by the fact that police never issued them any summonses for impeding public ways or disorderly conduct.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read how public schools across America muzzle pro-life students and ban pro-life student clubs.

Kentucky School Censors Pro-life Students: Lawsuit

Principal Matthew Turner of Larry A. Ryle High School in Union, Kentucky told senior student Patrick Edwards that the Ryle Students for Life club could meet and discuss pro-life advocacy in secret, but the club was forbidden by law to inform other students because abortion is "too controversial" and may offend people.

“We want to hang up fliers that promote a pro-life message and that would attract students to our club.  It’s hard to get your pro-life message out there when you’re restricted from putting it anywhere.”
-- Patrick Edwards, student

For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:

PC Las Vegas School Denies Pro-life Student Club

North Dakota Schools Backtrack on Pro-life Club Bans

Iowa School Censors Pro-life Girl's Rights, Lawyer Says

Connecticut School Censors 'Controversial' Pro-life Kids

Virginia School Slow-walks Pro-life Club Approval

New Jersey School Censors Student Expressing Pro-life View

Washington School OKs Gay Message, but Censors Pro-life Students





-- From "Group: Principal should allow anti-abortion flyers" by The Associated Press 10/14/15

A letter from attorneys for Students for Life demands that [Principal] Turner allow the flyers to be posted by Oct. 20 or it threatens to sue.

Turner said the district's attorneys are reviewing the letter, but that "the policies we have in place are in full compliance with the law."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "NKY student accuses principal of censoring pro-life group" by Jordan Vilines, Reporter, WXIX-TV19 (Cincinnati, OH) 10/14/15

Patrick Edwards, 18, says he’s been banned from placing "Students for Life" posters at Ryle High School. "Students for Life" is a student organization at Ryle High School with 15 to 20 members who meet on weekly basis to share their views on pro-life issues and volunteer in various outlets throughout the community.

The lawsuit filed on Tuesday against Ryle High School Principal states that Edwards’ First Amendment rights were violated when the principal denied the "Students for Life" club the opportunity to display the club’s fliers and posters on school grounds.

Edwards tells us that all but one of his requests for displaying "Students for Life" posters has been denied. “The poster of Ann Frank and her statement is the only poster that was approved because it had a universal message and doesn’t have anything to do with abortion,” Edwards said

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Ryle High School Accused Of Censoring Pro-Life Messages" by Travis Thayer, WSCH-FM99.3 (Lawrenceburg, IN) 10/14/15

Ryle High School Principal Matthew Turner apparently told Edwards to submit the fliers ahead of time for approval, and six of the seven fliers were rejected.

One of the rejected fliers included a panda bear hold a sign saying “Save the baby humans.”

Reports suggest that other student clubs and students have been allowed to post fliers taking various positions, but the anti-abortion fliers could not be posted because the issue was too controversial.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Too controversial for school?" Hannah Sparling, Cincinnati Enquirer 10/13/15

The situation stems back to August, the beginning of the school year, when senior Patrick Edwards started posting fliers for the Ryle Students for Life club, according to the release [from lawyers representing Students for Life of America]. . . .

“Other student clubs and students have been allowed to post fliers taking various positions and I was specifically told my fliers could not be posted because the issue was too controversial,” Edwards said in the release. “I believe it’s important to be able to share positive pro-life messages with my peers, especially with students who may be facing an unplanned pregnancy or know someone who is. Our aim is never to discriminate but to lovingly present the pro-life message and make a positive impact on our school community.”

“The law does not permit a principal to ban speech simply because, in his subjective opinion, the speech is too controversial,” said attorney Kyle Winslow, one of those who signed the letter. “Ryle High School’s censorship of Patrick clearly violates the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and must end.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "High School Censors Pro-Life Group’s Flyers With Mother Teresa as 'Too Controversial'" by Steven Ertelt, LifeNews.com 10/13/15

Ryle High School principal Matthew Turner has received a demand letter from Students for Life of America on behalf of Patrick Edwards, a senior at Ryle HS. Alliance Defending Freedom affiliates and attorneys at Hemmer DeFrank Wessels in Fort Mitchell, KY, Todd V. McMurtry and Kyle M. Winslow, signed the letter, which charges that Turner has unconstitutionally discriminated against Patrick and the Ryle Students for Life club by censoring the placement of pro-life flyers throughout the school.

As the demand letter states, the school’s denial of the Students for Life club’s flyers is a violation of the students’ rights under both the federal Equal Access Act and the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.  Students for Life of America requests that the school immediately allow the flyers to be placed in the school and that the Ryle Students for Life club be treated the same as any other club at the school.

“By actively denying Patrick his right to put up pro-life flyers on behalf of the Ryle Students for Life club because they promote the pro-life message is outright discrimination,” said Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life of America. “The school has no right to censor a message because they deem it to be controversial, as is the case with Mr. Turner at Ryle High School. Unfortunately the school administration has failed to uphold the free speech rights of Patrick and we had to seek legal assistance to make sure that his rights are upheld.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Office Depot Refuses Christian Pro-life Customer in Illinois

And read about myriad schools and governments paying fines for their actions against pro-lifers.

Calif. Law Forces Abortion Business on Pro-lifers

California Governor Jerry Brown has signed AB 775, The Reproductive FACT Act, that requires pro-life pregnancy centers to tell their clients where to get an abortion and “unconstitutionally compels [these centers] to speak messages that they have not chosen, with which they do not agree, and that distract, and detract from, the messages they have chosen to speak.”  Clinics immediately filed a lawsuit seeking an injunction of this egregious violation of their First Amendment free speech and religious rights.

“Anti-choice crisis pregnancy centers are ground-zero in the fight for reproductive freedom, and Gov. Brown and the California Legislature can be proud . . .”
-- Ilyse Hogue, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America

"Ground-zero in the fight?" Read Abortion Clinic Bombing Targets Pro-lifers Praying

For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:

California Forces Catholics to Fund Abortion, ACLU Celebrates

ACLU Sues Catholic Hospitals to Force Abortions

9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Forces Christians into Abortion Business

Also read, Pro-lifers Win Lawsuits for False Arrests at Protests: Violation of Free Speech

-- From "Health clinics run by anti-abortion groups sue attorney general over AB 775" by Denny Walsh, The Sacramento Bee 10/11/15

On Saturday in Sacramento federal court, religiously affiliated clinics in Marysville and Redding that don’t offer abortions sued California Attorney General Kamala Harris, a sponsor of the new law, asking for an injunction preventing it from taking effect Jan. 1.

The 18-page complaint, filed on behalf of the clinics by the Pacific Justice Institute, a conservative, nonprofit legal organization in Sacramento, asks the court to declare the Reproductive Fact Act unconstitutional and prohibit its enforcement.

Two such facilities – A Woman’s Friend Pregnancy Resource Clinic in Marysville and Crisis Pregnancy Center of Northern California in Redding – filed the suit against Harris. Both religious nonprofit corporations are licensed by the state to operate the clinics and offer, at no charge, medical consultations, pregnancy testing, ultrasound examinations and other services, the suit says. It says that, based on moral and religious convictions, they do not offer or refer for abortions.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Government-Mandated Speech: Jerry Brown Signs Law Forcing Pro-Life Pregnancy Centers to Promote Abortion" by Lauretta Brown, CNSNews.com 10/12/15

According to the legislation, pregnancy centers that fail to disseminate this message “are liable for a civil penalty of five hundred dollars ($500) for a first offense and one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each subsequent offense.”

"Does the government have a right to tell a newspaper what to write, a preacher what to preach, a private school what to teach? Of course not,” said Assemblywoman Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) in a statement following the bill’s passage in the State Assembly.

“So why is it okay for the government to force pro-life pregnancy centers against their will to advertise and promote government abortion services?” she asked.

“AB 775 sets a bad precedent by allowing the state -- a government entity -- to dictate what information a non-profit organization -- a non-profit that receives not a dime of state or government funding -- has to provide to their clients,” she concluded.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Abortion Opponents Call Law Forced Speech" by Nick Cahill, Courthouse News Service 10/14/15

The bill passed both houses by a combined 73-40 margin and requires clinics offering pregnancy-related services to inform patients of low-cost options via a conspicuous sign or a printed notice.

The Pacific Justice Institute filed the complaint for the clinics. The institute said forcing the clinics to relay the government's message conflicts with the alternatives it seeks to provide pregnant women.

"Forcing a religious pro-life charity to proclaim a pro-abortion declaration is on its face an egregious violation of both the free speech and free exercise clauses of the First Amendment to the Constitution," the institute's president Brad Dacus said.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Public Schools Ban Pro-life Student Clubs Across America

Office Depot Refuses Christian Customer: Illinois

When Maria Goldstein took her print order to the Office Depot in the Chicago suburb of Schaumburg, Illinois, she was turned away because the office supply store was “restricted by corporate policy” from reproducing a “religious flyer” with pro-life propaganda that criticizes Planned Parenthood.  Attorneys representing Goldstein have informed the big box retailer that their policy is a violation of “the Cook County Human Rights Ordinance, which forbids public businesses from discriminating based on religion.”

For background, read America Protests Planned Parenthood, Media Ignore

Click headlines below to read previous articles:

9th Circuit Court Forces Christians into Abortion Business

Harassment of Pro-lifers Costs Illinois City $$

Ohio College Pays $9,000 for Censoring Christian Speech

Christian Refused at Pro-gay-only Lunch Counter

Lesbian Government Official Nixes Christian Business at Denver Airport

Kansas Governor Protects Religious Liberty, Homosexualists Attack

Public Schools Ban Pro-life Student Clubs Across America

Persecuted Christians Testify at Iowa Rally for Religious Liberty



-- From "Office Depot in Schaumburg Accused of Religious Discrimination" posted at WMAQ-TV5 NBC Chicago 9/10/15

The demand letter [from Goldstein's attorneys] says Office Depot must “cease its unlawful refusal to service Ms. Goldstein’s copying order.” [Special counsel Thomas] Olp said if the company refuses, he will bring the issue before the Cook County Human Rights Commission or the Illinois Department of Human Rights.

Office Depot did not immediately respond to NBC Chicago’s request for comment but a spokeswoman for the company told the Chicago Tribune the company policy prohibits “the copying of any type of material that advocates any form of racial or religious discrimination or the persecution of certain groups of people.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Office Depot accused of religious discrimination" by Manya Brachear Pashman, Reporter, Chicago Tribune 9/10/15

Last month, Maria Goldstein, 42, ordered 500 copies of "A Prayer for the Conversion of Planned Parenthood" at an Office Depot in Schaumburg to distribute at her [Catholic] parish the following Sunday. The handout also included statistics about abortion in the U.S. and at Planned Parenthood, a non-profit organization that provides women's and reproductive health services.

The prayer, composed by the Rev. Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life, an anti-abortion group, calls on God to "Bring an end to the killing of children in the womb, and bring an end to the sale of their body parts. Bring conversion to all who do this, and enlightenment to all who advocate it."

The prayer also decries "the evil that has been exposed in Planned Parenthood and in the entire abortion industry."

Thomas Olp, a lawyer for the Chicago-based Thomas More Society, a public interest law group that represents Goldstein, said the situation fits into the public accommodation laws that date back to when businesses refused to serve African-Americans and Jews.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Schaumburg store accused of refusing to copy anti-Planned Parenthood flier" by Eric Peterson, Daily Herald (suburban Chicago) 9/10/15

The Thomas More Society describes itself as a not-for-profit law firm that provides pro bono services aimed at restoring respect in law for life, family and religious liberty.

Goldstein said she already knew of the Thomas More Society and thought of them immediately when she felt she was facing religious discrimination.

"I know that they're strong defenders of religious freedom," she said.

Olp said that because Goldstein's flier has already been printed, Office Depot could make amends stating that such discrimination will never happen again. If such a statement is not made within five working days, Olp said he plans to file a complaint with the Cook County Human Rights Commission.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Office Depot Refuses To Print Anti-Planned Parenthood Flyers" by Casey Harper, Daily Caller 9/10/15

Office Depot may face a lawsuit after refusing to print flyers that criticize Planned Parenthood, saying the flyers “persecute” people who believe in abortion rights.

“When I tell people they’re shocked because this is America,” Goldstein told The Daily Caller News Foundation. “Office Depot is trying to silence my freedom of speech and my freedom of religion.”

“This seems crazy,” Olp told TheDCNF. “To say that a prayer that calls for conversion and understanding and enlightenment is persecution, to call that persecution to me is the height of intolerance.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Charge: Office Depot refused Christian print job" by Bob Unruh, World Net Daily 9/10/15

“We suggest that you consider what your position would be if our client were black and your employees refused service because of her race,” said a letter to Office Depot Chairman Roland C. Smith from Thomas Olp of the Thomas More Society, which is representing the woman.

“In that case it would not be hard to see how unreasonable that refusal of service would be. The public accommodation laws do not give any greater leeway for refusal of service when a customer’s religious expression motivates the refusal. … Our laws welcome religion and religious expression, treat it fairly and equally, and do not permit its marginalization or silencing.”

[Olp] said if there is an employee with some sort of religious objection to the Christian statements, the company should accommodate that employee and find someone else to do the print job.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

UPDATE 9/12/15: From "Office Depot Retreats from Refusal to Print Pro-Life Prayer it Said Was ‘Hate Material’" by Terence P. Jeffrey, CNSNews.com

The company explained its decision in a letter its assistant general counsel, Robert A. Amicone, sent Olp on Sept. 11.

“You also say that [the flyer] is ‘religious throughout in tone and content’ and ‘contains a prayer’ seeking an end to abortion,” said the Office Depot attorney in this letter. “You do not mention, however, certain language within the prayer that discusses ‘the killing of children in the womb’ and ‘the grisly trade in baby body parts.’

“Nor do you address the strong language presumably condemning those who perform and obtain abortions,” said the Office Depot letter. “Indeed, the prayer characterizes those individuals as ‘evil,’ and it advocates for the closure of the ‘death camps in our midst.’ It is this type of language that led to the decision to refuse you client’s copying request.”

“There are two provisions [of the company’s policy] applicable to this dispute,” explained the lawyer. “The first prohibits the copying of ‘graphic material,’ which can include descriptions of dead or dismembered bodies. The second provision prohibits the copying of ‘hate material’ that advocates for the persecution of groups of people, regardless of the reason.”

Goldstein’s flyer did not contain any illustrations—and called for the “conversion,” not persecution, of those who advocate aborting unborn children.

“To be clear,” said Office Depot’s lawyer, “Office Depot’s position is that the above-quoted language falls within the definition of ‘graphic material’ and/or ‘hate material,’ making the refusal to print the flyer appropriate.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

UPDATE 9/11/15: From "Office Depot apologizes over refusal to copy anti-abortion prayer" by Manya Brachear Pashman, Chicago Tribune

"We sincerely apologize to Ms. (Maria) Goldstein for her experience and our initial reaction was not at all related to her religious beliefs," Roland Smith, chairman and chief executive officer of Office Depot, said in a statement. "We invite her to return to Office Depot if she still wishes to print the flier."

[Spokeswoman for Office Depot, Karen] Denning said a more detailed review of the flier determined that it was not a clear violation of the company's policy, which prohibits "the copying of any type of material that advocates any form of racial or religious discrimination or the persecution of certain groups of people."

Denning said the policy won't change but added that customers can use the self-service copy machines inside stores without being subject to the policy.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read ACLU Forces Catholic Hospital To Sterilize Woman

And read Gay American Courts Persecute Christian: Kim Davis

The flyer that Office Depot refused to print: