ANN ARBOR, MI – The Thomas More Law Center, a national public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor Michigan, announced today that it has filed a federal lawsuit against the Detroit Police Department, Police Chief Bully-Cummins, and other officers in order to vindicate the First Amendment rights of Monica Miller, a pro-life demonstrator who was told to go home and threatened with arrest while engaged in peaceful pro-life activities.
Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel of the Thomas More Law Center, commented, “Abortion is one of the greatest evils in our nation, and those who continue to protest abortion must be given the full protection of the First Amendment, regardless of the popularity of their message.”
The suit arose when Miller and others were engaged in a peaceful pro-life counter- demonstration near a pro-life pregnancy center that was being picketed by pro-abortion protestors. Miller called for police assistance when she witnessed pro-abortion protestors assaulting a pro-life protestor. When the police showed up, they told Miller she had to march in a circle in the same area as pro-abortion demonstrators and said her pro-life poster violated Detroit’s sign ordinance. When Miller objected, she was ticketed for violating the sign ordinance and “failing to obey a lawful order.”
The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court in Detroit, and seeks a declaration that Miller’s First Amendment rights were violated, an injunction prohibiting the Defendants from applying Detroit’s sign ordinance to Miller and others engaged in similar activities, as well as damages and fees.
Patrick T. Gillen, the Law Center’s attorney who will represent Miller at trial, expressed concern that the violation of Miller’s rights is part of a larger and more disturbing pattern. “There is reason to believe that Detroit’s Police Department has decided that the best way to deal with pro-life protestors is to keep them off the street. This suit should put the department on notice that there are consequences for disregarding the First Amendment rights of those who seek to speak out on behalf of the most vulnerable.”
The Thomas More Law Center defends and promotes the religious freedom of Christians, time-honored family values, and the sanctity of human life through education, litigation, and related activities. It does not charge for its services. The Law Center is supported by contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations, and is recognized by the IRS as a section 501(c)(3) organization. You may reach the Thomas More Law Center at (734) 827-2001 or visit our website at www.thomasmore.org.