Abortion Reproductive Rights

Federal Judge Extends Restraining Order Against Anti-Abortion Extremists

A federal judge in California has extended a temporary restraining order against an anti-abortion group calling itself the Center for Medical Progress (CMP) as well as Biomax Procurement Services LLC, CMP leader David Daleiden, and Troy Newman, President of Operation Rescue and CMP board member.

via Wikimedia
via Wikimedia

The restraining order, issued at the request of the National Abortion Federation (NAF) prohibits these groups and individuals from releasing any videos, documents, or other confidential information obtained from NAF Annual Meetings, including the dates and locations of future meetings.

District Judge William H. Orrick III issued his opinion extending the order on Monday. In his ruling, Judge Orrick wrote:

Critically, the parties do not disagree about NAF’s central allegations: defendants assumed false identities, created a fake company, and lied to NAF in order to obtain access to NAF’s annual meetings and gain private information about its members….The evidence presented by NAF, including that defendants’ recent dissemination of videos of and conversations with NAF affiliates has led to harassment and death threats for the individuals in those videos, is sufficient to show irreparable injury for the purposes of the temporary restraining order.

The restraining order, which was originally issued last Friday, will now be in effect until a hearing scheduled for the end of the month.

“We are grateful to Judge Orrick for extending the temporary restraining order,” said President and CEO of NAF Saporta. “Nothing is more important than the safety and security of our members and taking these criminals to task for their illegal activities.”

CMP has not filed one tax return as a non-profit, according to the Nation, and its leadership consists of well-known anti-abortion activists. Troy Newman’s group, for example, has been engaging in a campaign of terror, harassment, and intimidation against abortion providers, patients, and clinic staff for years, including in Wichita, Kansas where Dr. George Tiller was murdered by extremist Scott Roeder.

Media Resources: NAF Press Release 8/3/15; The Nation 7/16/15

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