Rockford, Illinois Accused of Violating Pro-Lifer's Civil Rights

Rockford, Illinois Accused of Violating Pro-Lifer's Civil Rights

MEDIA ADVISORY, April 2 /Christian Newswire/ -- Press conference to be held April 3, details below:

New Charges Against Rockford for Blocking Civil Rights of Prolife Advocates

New Video Shows Rockford's Systematic Failure to Protect Prolife Citizens

When: Thursday, April 3 at 11:00 AM CT

Where: Outside the Federal Building / U.S. Courthouse, 211 S. Court Street, Rockford, IL

What: The Thomas More Society, on behalf of a group of local citizens, filed an amended complaint in a lawsuit charging the City of Rockford, Illinois in Federal District Court, for violating the rights of free speech of local residents. The amended complaint includes two additional parties, Wayne Webster, the owner of the local abortion facility, and Keith "Doe", who harassed protestors. In addition, lawyers from the Thomas More Society have new video evidence of the City's aiding and abetting intolerance toward free speech of its pro-life citizens. The video will be made available online.

The case, Rilott vs. Rockford stemmed from the City demanding that a pro-life sign on a bus bench (located at the corner of E. State St. and Summit St.) be removed. The City threatened to remove the entire bench if the local citizens resisted. Eventually the bench was vandalized by a city employee (photos of actual vandalizing are available).

Rockford pastor, Dr. Dwayne Summers, Congregationalist Minister, will explain why the bus bench sign and more like it are needed in Rockford and make a personal plea to the woman who destroyed it.

Who: Denise Mackura, Executive Director & Legal Counsel, Thomas More Society Kevin Rilott, Key Plaintiff
Dr. Dwayne Summers, Congregationalist Minister

Visuals:

- Backdrop of Federal Courthouse
- Enlarged photos of the original bus bench sign, the vandalized bus bench, the city bus driver vandalizing the bench
- Video link to be announced showing intolerance toward pro-lifers

Contacts: Tom Ciesielka, TC Public Relations, (312) 422-1333/(312) 403-1333 (cell)

Denise Mackura, Executive Director & General Counsel, Thomas More Society 312-782-1680 (office) (216) 548-9108 (cell)

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