NEWS PROVIDED BY
Liberty Counsel 
May 23, 2019
 
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., May 23, 2019 /Christian Newswire/ -- Sandra Merritt has filed a motion asking a California federal court to issue summary judgment and forgo the trial regarding the claims in Planned Parenthood’s multimillion-dollar civil lawsuit against her.

Planned Parenthood filed a retaliatory, 15-count civil suit against Merritt, seeking $16 million as punishment for her undercover investigation, which revealed and exposed the largest abortion mill’s unethical and potentially illegal profiting from human baby body parts. In this lawsuit, Planned Parenthood is using the "Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations" (RICO) law as a weapon to stop the undercover videos produced by the Center for Medical Progress that exposed Planned Parenthood's gruesome trade in baby body parts. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled several years ago that RICO cannot be used against pro-life picketers to silence free speech. Yet, that is the motive of Planned Parenthood in this case.

Liberty Counsel represents Merritt and has presented evidence that Planned Parenthood has no standing, no damages, no legal basis for the suit, which is only designed to silence Merritt's First Amendment rights. It also asks for Planned Parenthood to be held responsible for the fees and costs incurred by counsel.

Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel said, "Planned Parenthood is obviously abusing the law in a desperate attempt to silence Sandra Merritt and protect the hideous business of selling baby body parts. The Supreme Court has ruled that RICO cannot be used to silence free speech and that is precisely what Planned Parenthood is seeking to accomplish. Planned Parenthood will not succeed. This case should be dismissed," said Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel.

Liberty Counsel is an international nonprofit, litigation, education, and policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of life, and the family since 1989, by providing pro bono assistance and representation on these and related topics. Liberty Counsel provides broadcast quality TV interviews via Hi-Def Skype and LTN at no cost.

SOURCE Liberty Counsel

CONTACT: Mat Staver, 407-875-1776, Liberty@LC.org

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