Society Defending Detroit Man Accused of 'Stalking'
DETROIT,
Dec. 15, 2010 /Christian Newswire/ -- Today in Wayne County Circuit Court, the Chicago-based Thomas More Society appeared with veteran sidewalk counselor Chris Coatney to seek dismissal of a personal protective order against him. The order was entered after the manager of the Summit Women's Center, a Detroit abortion clinic, alleged Coatney was stalking her by following and threatening her, an assertion he denies. The motion to dismiss the personal protective order was denied, and the Society will now try to overturn it on appeal or in the trial court.
"This is a gross abuse of the stalking law to suppress the free speech of a 9-year sidewalk counseling veteran," said Tom Brejcha, president and chief counsel of the Thomas More Society. "It's a travesty that one of the best sidewalk counselors in Michigan is now prohibited from doing what he is called to do -- peaceably and persuasively speaking the message of life to abortion-bound women."
The alleged incident occurred in September, although Coatney says he has video evidence to prove these allegations are false. Under the current personal protective order, Coatney is required to stay at least 100 feet away from the abortion clinic, thereby prohibiting him from sidewalk counseling, which he has done every day at the abortion clinic since April.
For more information or to speak with Tom Brejcha, please contact Stephanie Lewis at
312-422-1333 or
Stephanie@tcpr.net.
About the Thomas More Society
Founded in 1997, the Thomas More Society is a national public interest law firm that exists to restore respect for life in law. Based in Chicago, the Thomas More Society defends the sanctity of human life, the family and religious liberty in courtrooms across the country. The Society is a nonprofit organization wholly supported by private donations. For more information or to support the work of Thomas More Society, please visit www.thomasmoresociety.org.
