Crisis pregnancy centers stand up for life at City Council
On November 16, Theresa Bonopartis, Chris Slattery and representatives for and against the Council Legislation #371 met in Council chambers to speak their minds and hearts about the Council's attempt to curtail, fine, and eventually shut down crisis pregnancy centers throughout the City and they hope, nationwide.
Here is Wall Street Journal coverage -
Crisis Pregnancy Centers vs. City Hall
"This is about truth in advertising and women's health," said Council Member Jessica Lappin, the bill's primary sponsor. "There are two dozen anti-choice centers masquerading as health clinics right here in New York City….Rather than provide full and accurate medical information to women they mislead and manipulate them."
But abortion opponents defended the centers as providing legitimate counseling and an alternative for women who don't want to have an abortion. They called the proposal a violation of First Amendment rights and threatened legal action if it passes.
Chris Slattery, president of Expectant Mother Care Frontline Pregnancy Centers, which operates 12 centers, said some of its centers have medical affiliations and licensed staff. He acknowledged that not all of them do and that licensed staff isn't always on the premises. "We can document thousands of experiences, negative, at abortion clinics in New York," he testified
This legislation is an embarrassment, even by New York standards. Where are the champions of the First Amendment? Do other legitimate businesses understand how this type of coercive legislation will effect them? Planned Parenthood, NARAL and other organizations that are fed monetarily and politically by the abortion industry are hungry for more. This time it is retribution against the success of pregnancy care centers that are trying to give women a choice other than abortion. I thought we were all interested in fewer abortions? Remember "safe, legal and rare"? This legislation rips the masks off those pretenders. Let your voices be heard, citizens!
.
Comments