Thomas More Law Center Asks Court to Dismiss “Too Loud” Lawsuit Against Portland Anti-Planned Parenthood Preacher

ANN ARBOR, MI – The Thomas More Law Center (TMLC), a national public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, MI, last Friday, filed a motion to dismiss the Maine Attorney General’s lawsuit against Brian Ingalls. Ingalls is the 26-year old Christian who is being sued by Maine’s top attorney for allegedly praying and preaching the Bible too loudly outside of a Planned Parenthood abortion clinic. Maine Attorney Stephen Whiting is assisting in the lawsuit as local co-counsel.

Maine Attorney General Janet Mills is a zealous supporter of Planned Parenthood. Mills, along with her brother and sister, were honored by Planned Parenthood of Northern New England at their 50th Anniversary Gala for their continued dedication to the abortion business.

Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel of the Thomas More Law Center, commented, “The politically motivated and ridiculous lawsuit filed by Attorney General Mills is a clear violation of the First Amendment of our Constitution.  She should know better.”

Backing-up Thompson’s claim is an amazing video recorded conversation with police in front of Planned Parenthood.  In the video, a different prolife preacher asks a responding officer what is and what is not too loud and how a violation is determined. The officer responds that there are no criteria. When asked if Planned Parenthood could just lie when claiming a preacher is too loud and can be heard inside of the building, the officer acknowledges, that they could.  Click here to view the video.

The complaint filed by Attorney General Janet Mills alleges that by continuing to preach after police notified him that Planned Parenthood officials had complained he was too loud, Ingalls violated the Maine Civil Rights Act.  TMLC is requesting that the Court dismiss the Attorney General’s frivolous lawsuit without requiring the young father to expend any further time or resources to defend the suit. The Maine Attorney General’s lawsuit against Brian Ingalls is an attempt to warp the Maine Civil Rights Act into a state-sponsored weapon to silence pro-life speech that hurts Planned Parenthood’s bottom line.

Less than a month before the lawsuit against Ingalls was filed, the City of Portland’s buffer zone, enacted to protect the same Planned Parenthood abortion clinic, was declared unconstitutional in a judgment obtained by the Thomas More Law Center. Mill’s current Civil Rights lawsuit can only be construed as an irresponsible attempt to circumvent that judgment and impose a de facto 50 foot buffer zone.  A violation of the Maine Civil Rights Act carries a $5,000.00 fine. Curiously, Mill’s complaint requests that Ingalls not be allowed within 50 feet of any Planned Parenthood in Maine, not just the one in Portland where he preaches his pro-life message.

TMLC trial counsel Erin Kuenzig commented, “The Maine Attorney General’s lawsuit against Brian Ingalls is a blatant attempt to silence lawful, peaceful, pro-life speech simply because that speech promotes life instead of abortion, and thereby threatens Planned Parenthood’s business.  The First Amendment does not permit the state to silence speech merely because government officials disagree with the message being conveyed, but that is exactly what has happened here.” 

The Thomas More Law Center defends and promotes America’s Judeo-Christian heritage and moral values, including the religious freedom of Christians, time-honored family values, and the sanctity of human life.  It supports a strong national defense and an independent and sovereign United States of America.  The Law Center accomplishes its mission through litigation, education, 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.

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