News & Media

ADF-allied attorney available to media following trial of arrested pro-life advocates

WHO:  ADF-allied attorney Frank Mylar
WHAT:  Available for media interviews following bench trial in City of Salt Lake City v. Barker and City of Salt Lake City v. Bird
WHEN:  Monday, Oct. 6, following the trial, which begins at 10 a.m. MDT
WHERE:  Outside the entrance of the Salt Lake City Justice Court, Courtroom 1, 333 South 200 East, Salt Lake City

SALT LAKE CITY — Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney Frank Mylar will be available for media interviews following a trial Monday involving criminal charges filed against two pro-life women.  Mylar represents the women, both of whom who were arrested after they peacefully exercised their First Amendment rights outside an abortion clinic.  ADF is assisting with the defense.

“Christians shouldn’t be penalized for expressing their beliefs,” said Mylar, who is lead counsel in the case.  “These two women presented their message peacefully.  The idea that they are guilty of disorderly conduct is preposterous.”

On Feb. 3, 2007, Julie Bird and Diana Barker, along with six other adults, arrived at Utah Women’s Health Center.  Bird was carrying her 15-month-old daughter at the time.  The group prayed and distributed literature peacefully on a public sidewalk.  Later, police arrived after receiving a call from a clinic employee.

Officers spoke to clinic employees but did not question Bird or Barker.  They issued citations to both only after exiting the clinic.  The Salt Lake City prosecutor changed the charges against the two women four times since the incident.  Currently, they are charged with disturbing the peace and trespassing.

“Exercising one’s First Amendment rights on a public sidewalk is not a criminal offense,” said ADF Senior Legal Counsel Byron J. Babione.  “Arresting pro-life advocates simply because they choose to exercise their First Amendment rights in a public place is unconstitutional.”

ADF is a legal alliance of Christian attorneys and like-minded organizations defending the right of people to freely live out their faith. Launched in 1994, ADF employs a unique combination of strategy, training, funding, and litigation to protect and preserve religious liberty, the sanctity of life, marriage, and the family.