New York State RTL Salutes Astorino, Clinic Access Bill Opponents

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“The NYSRTL Committee is delighted that County Executive Rob Astorino has courageously done his job not just as the county executive but as an American showing respect for the Constitution. People have not fought and died for a First Amendment that  protects only universally wanted speech.

 The idea that public property outside of an abortion facility should be a free-speech-free zone because some people don’t like that it impacts the very lucrative abortion industry is an idea that does not belong in a truly free country. The pro-abortion movement knows that when presented with the truth, most women choose life and that is bad for business.  Bravo Rob Astorino!  Great job Alan [Mehldau, Chair of Westchester-Putnam Right to Life] and the Westchester Right to Life team!”  

— Lori Kehoe, Chairperson, NYS Right to Life

Pro-abortion lobby goes BERSERK after Astorino’s veto of anti-free speech clinic bill — from LifeNet

Focus on the Family coverage in CitizenLink

Catholics Bring Lawsuits Against HHS Mandate

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This morning, 12 lawsuits were filed across the nation by 43 Catholic dioceses and institutions against the federal government, challenging the contraception and abortion mandates as violations of religious freedom.

The Archdiocese of New York (and its health care agency, ArchCare) and the Diocese of Rockville Centre (Brooklyn) were among the dioceses to file suit. Other suits were filed by the Archdioceses of Washington, Dallas, and St. Louis, the Dioceses of Erie, Pittsburgh, Fort Worth, Jackson, Biloxi and Joliet, numerous Catholic Charities agencies, and Notre Dame University, Catholic University of America, and Franciscan University.

“We have tried negotiation with the Administration and legislation with the Congress, — and will keep at it — and there’s still no fix. Time is running out, and our precious ministries and fundamental rights hang in the balance, so we have to resort to the courts now.” — Timothy Cardinal Dolan

Clinic Access Bill Vetoed

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Westchester County Executive Robert A. Astorino has vetoed the Clinic Access Bill, calling it legally flawed and unnecessary. Click here for the full story.

While this legislation targeted prolife free speech in Westchester, I’m sure Mr. Astorino would like to know that we in Rockland were keeping a careful eye on the situation and  are very grateful for his decision to veto. Abortion, unfortunately, knows no geographic boundaries.

Please send  a quick email to thank him at CE@westchestergov.com.

Stand Up for Religious Freedom — June 8

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The next Stand Up for Religious Freedom Rally will be held on Friday, June 8, in cities and town across the United States. The nearest one will again be at Federal Hall on Wall Street in New York City.

The June 8 Stand Up Rally builds on the tremendous momentum created by the first Stand Up Rally on March 23.

On that day, over 63,000 Americans came out in 145 cities coast to coast, including a group from Rockland, pushed back against the new mandate from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that requires all employers provide free contraceptives, sterilization and abortion-inducing drugs through their health plans, even in violation of their consciences.

For all the information, click here. 

Clinic Access Bill Passes 10-7

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Targeting the peaceful protests of prolife Americans, the Westchester County Board of Legislators, in a party-line vote Monday night, passed a bill creating a 25-foot buffer zone outside clinics that provide abortions.

Hopefully, Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino will veto this law. Click here for the Hudson Valley Coalition for Life’s take on the future of this unfortunate legislation, which they describe as “bad law — badly crafted, bad for the County, and bad for the County’s citizens.”

The primary supporters of this law were Planned Parenthood of Hudson-Peconic, the Westchester Coalition for Legal Abortion, and Rep. Nita Lowey, of the newly revamped 17th Congressional District, which now includes all of Rockland County as well as parts of Westchester.

150-200 Attend Hearing on ‘Clinic Access Bill’ in Westchester

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On Monday, April 30, approximately 150 to 200 people attended the hearing of the Westchester County Board of Legislators on a bill that would restrict the free speech rights of prolife witnesses outside abortion clinics.

The vote is scheduled for next Monday, May 7. Click here for a letter from Sister Lucy Marie of the Sisters of Life, appealing for a redoubling of prayers and sacrifices for the conversion of hearts on this issue.  It includes insights from Ed Mechmann, an attorney from the Archdiocese of New York, on how such hearings can help the prolife cause:

I thought that having so many “regular people” on our side — as opposed to the largely institutional witnesses on the other side (e.g., employees and activists from Planned Parenthood) — was a very good thing.  I think that the legislators are more impressed when lots of people testify who don’t make a living out of the issue at hand.  Five voters count for a lot more than one “spokesman.” — Ed Mechmann

Oppose the ‘Clinic Access Bill’: Legislation Targeting Prolife Free Speech is Un-American

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On Monday evening, April 30, the Westchester County Legislature will hold a public hearing on proposed legislation that would allow abortion clinic facilities to sue anyone who — in their opinion — has harassed or intimidated a person trying to gain access.

Please read this opinion piece submitted to the Journal News by the co-directors of the Hudson Valley Coalition for Life against this attempt to use the law to intimidate peaceful people who are expressing their views against abortion.