U.S. District Judge Mark Wolf has dismissed Operation Rescue’s lawsuit against democratic Sen. Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts. Lawyers for the anti-choice organization alleged that Kennedy made false and defamatory statements about Operation Rescue in a 1993 television interview. In the interview, Kennedy was explaining why women need guaranteed access to abortion clinics. “When we have a national organization like Operation Rescue that has as a matter of national policy firebombing and even murder, that’s unacceptable.”
Wolf ruled that Kennedy was not liable for his statements because those statements were made as part of his Senatorial duties. “His remarks about Operation Rescue were made, at least in part, to inform the public of the reasons for his position on a legislative matter.” Operation Rescue plans to appeal the decision.
