NOW to Argue Two Key Abortion Cases Before Supreme Court on Nov. 30

On Wednesday, Nov. 30, at 10 a.m., Scheidler et al. v. National Organization for Women et al. and Operation Rescue et al. v. National Organization for Women et al. will be argued before the Supreme Court. These cases relate to stopping illegal violence directed against women's health clinics, abortion providers and their patients. The Bush administration's Department of Justice has chosen to oppose NOW and support the positions of Joseph Scheidler and Operation Rescue.

NOW initiated this case nearly 20 years ago in an effort to stop anti-abortion extremists from continuing to plan and organize violence at women's health clinics. The self-described "pro-life Mafia" planned to end abortion by closing every clinic that provided abortion services. Over the past 19 years, the violence has included invasions, violent blockades, arson, chemical attacks and bombings of women's health care clinics, assaults on patients, death threats and shootings of health care workers and administrators, including the murder of eight abortion providers.

Who:	Kim Gandy, NOW President; Eleanor Smeal, Feminist Majority President and president of NOW when the case was filed in 1986, and other feminist activists
What:	Supreme Court arguments in Scheidler v. NOW and Operation Rescue v. NOW
When:	Wednesday, Nov. 30 9:00am demonstration begins 10:00am arguments begin
Where:	U.S. Supreme Court

This is the third time the Supreme Court will be considering this class action case filed by NOW on behalf of all women who could potentially be patients of the approximately 2,000 health care clinics and by two named clinics representing the class of clinics themselves.

Respondents' briefs and amicus briefs in this case, including an amicus brief signed by 47 members of Congress in support of the respondents, explain in detail the issues before the Supreme Court, a history of the illegal violence, bombings and murders and other background. The briefs, a detailed timeline and background can be found online.

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For Immediate Release
Contact: Mai Shiozaki, 202-628-8669, ext. 116; cell 202-641-1906

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