Washington, D.C. – City officials in Washington D.C. have backed off their threats to arrest Christians praying on a sidewalk outside a Planned Parenthood abortion clinic after they determined that the sidewalk is indeed a public one.

Rev. Patrick Mahoney, Director of the Christian Defense Coalition, was arrested for peacefully praying and reading the Bible on the disputed sidewalk on June 8, 2010, after Planned Parenthood erected a fence and posted “no trespassing signs” and their company logo on it earlier this year.

In 1999, when Operation Rescue was involved in litigation with the Justice Department, it was discovered that the property in front of the Planned Parenthood building, including the sidewalk leading up to the door, was public. Since then, for over a decade, pro-lifers have peacefully offered help to abortion bound women on the public sidewalk leading to the door of the abortion clinic.

The illegal fence on public property interfered with the ability of sidewalk counselors to reach abortion-bound women with offers of practical help, and prevented the free exercise of First Amendment rights such as praying and picketing.

The City’s decision acknowledging that the property is public came on the eve of a project called “A Time to Stand,” in which pro-life activists from around the country were coming to challenge the ban on free speech and were willing to risk arrest for public prayer.

Activists will still gather in front of Planned Parenthood on Saturday, August 14, at 10:00 A.M. to pray, worship and counsel on the public sidewalk and embrace the First Amendment and religious freedom.

Planned Parenthood is located at 1108 16th Street NW in Washington D.C.

“This episode shows the lack of integrity and commitment that Planned Parenthood has to the First Amendment and the truth. They constantly lied about the nature of that sidewalk saying it was ‘private’ when they knew it was public. It should remind every American if an organization has no respect for the dignity and sanctity of life why would they respect the dignity of free speech?” said Rev. Mahoney.

“Now that Planned Parenthood’s lie has been exposed, it is time for the City to demand that the signs that falsely claim the public land as private property be removed and that the illegal fence be torn down,” said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman.

“We encourage everyone that can to attend tomorrow’s gathering in front of the Planned Parenthood in Washington, D.C. to exercise their legal right to pray and offer help to abortion-bound women there. If we ignore our rights, you can bet that Planned Parenthood will be more than happy to try to take them away again so that they can continue the unabated abortion innocent babies. We must assert our rights not for ourselves, but on behalf of the babies that would surly perish if we were not allowed to make a public stand against the killing.”

News report questions judgment of FL medical board for not revoking Pendergraft’s license (See video below)

Orlando, FL – Abortionist James Pendergraft has had his medical license suspended for a fourth by the Florida Board of Medicine, which made the decision on Saturday.

“This is a case that should outrage everyone,” said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman. “Here is a proven quack that has served three previous license suspensions, yet continues to offend. Even a stint in prison hasn’t helped Pendergraft amend his ways. Nevertheless, the Board will allow this man to continue the practice of medicine after he serves his fourth suspension. It is irresponsible to place women at repeated risk from this guy. Enough is enough!”

Pendergraft’s license was suspended for one year, to be followed by three years of probation. He was ordered to pay $10,000 fine and take a course on record keeping. The suspension order was given after the Board found that Pendergraft had allowed an unlicensed employee to order and administer drugs even though she was unqualified and had a known history of drug abuse. Pendergraft also was disciplined for prescribing steroids to her for unknown reasons.

Pendergraft faced previous suspensions, one as recently as January, 2010, for botched abortions, committing illegal late-term abortions, and dispensing drugs without a license. In 2004, he pled guilty to impeding justice while under investigation for extortion.

The Board ruled on Saturday that Pendergraft’s two active suspensions would run concurrently.

Aaron Liberman, the chairman of the Department of Health Management and Informatics at the University of Central Florida, objected to the leniency shown by the Board.

“I think it’s a wake-up call for us all when we have an individual who is allowed to practice medicine in a way that draws question as to both his credibility and capability,” he said.

Pendergraft owns five abortion clinics in Florida. While on suspension, his clinics continue to operate with other abortionists, at least one of which has had his own problems with the law. Abortionist Randall Whitney has had his license suspended twice and place on probation for violations according to the Florida Health Department.

“Pendergraft’s clinics are a menace to the public. They should be closed, and perhaps if he was in another state, they would be. It is simply outrageous that these people who have proven that they cannot comport themselves within the law are allowed the opportunity to continue to prey on an unsuspecting public. The Florida Board of Medicine seriously dropped the ball by not revoking Pendergraft and forcing the closure of his clinics,” said Newman.

Read Board minutes from July 6, 2010 (see pg. 29)

Below is contact information for the Florida Board of Medicine.

Email: MQA_Medicine@doh.state.fl.us
Board Telephone: 850 245-4131
FAX: (850) 412-1268

Watch news report below:

Please view the critically important video below from Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney:

We are only a few days away away from “A Time to Stand” in Washington, D.C.!

On August 13-14, the Christian community will be gathering for a time of prayer and prophetic witness for life and justice in our nation’s capital.

Please go to atimetostand.org for more details.

As you know, prayer and First Amendment activities have been banned and prohibited to protect abortion and Planned Parenthood. It is imperative that the Church respond in radical prayer, obedience, and engagement.

This is a critical time for our nation. If the Body of Christ will not passionately stand when prayer is banned on a public sidewalk in America, the question must be asked, “What will they stand for?”

Join with us!

If you can only make one day, Saturday, August 14 is the most important day to come out.

Let’s make history on the streets of Washington, D.C.

Carpools will be leaving Grace Church of Fredericksburg at:

12:30 P.M. on Friday, August 13
8:00 A.M. on Saturday, August 14

For more information go to atimetostand.org

Background on the history of the illegal fence
Watch the video of Rev. Mahoney’s arrest
PS: Please forward this to as many friends as possible!