New York AG sues pro-life protesters outside abortion clinic for 'harassment'

New York Attorney Gen. Eric Schneiderman has sued a coalition of pro-life protesters for allegedly harassing and threatening people outside an abortion clinic in New York City.

On Wednesday, Schneiderman's office announced that a federal harassment lawsuit has been filed against 14 pro-life activists, who allegedly "harassed, threatened, and menaced patients, families, escorts, and clinic staff" at the Choices Women's Medical Center in Jamaica Queens "every Saturday morning for at least five years."

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, stated the activists had acted violently by pinning abortion clinic escorts against a wall, shouting death threats and calling women murderers.

Schneiderman also accused the protesters of trying to block the doors of the abortion clinic and handing out pictures of "mangled fetuses."

"Since 2012, protesters have subjected incoming patients to a barrage of unwanted physical contact, as well as verbal abuse, threats of harm, and lies about the clinic's hours and its services," the lawsuit stated, as reported by The Christian Post.

"Protesters descend on approaching patients to harangue them, sometimes pinning them against the clinic's exterior wall or parking meters, and even forcing them into the street and oncoming traffic as they try to escape the protesters. Some protesters go so far as to touch or grab at patients to get their attention and force printed anti-choice materials on them," it continued.

The lawsuit indicated that some of the defendants are associated with the Church at the Rock in Brooklyn, Grace Baptist Church in Woodhaven, Bright Dawn Ministries in Brooklyn, and a group called Helpers of God's Precious Infants. Other protesters without church or organizational affiliation were also named in the suit.

The defendants were also accused of violating the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, New York State Clinic Access Act and the New York City Access to Reproductive Health Care Facilities Act. The suit is asking the court to order the defendants to pay damages and civil penalties.

The protesters associated with the Church at the Rock will be represented by the Thomas More Society, a law firm known for defending pro-life activists and groups.

Thomas More Society General Counsel Andrew Bath said that the members of the church "peacefully" counsel women who are considering an abortion. He maintained that the protesters' activities are a legitimate exercise of their First Amendment rights, noting that they conduct the said activities on a public sidewalk.

Bath said that Schneiderman's claims are "meritless," and noted that the law firm is defending the rights of the activists to peacefully protest against abortion and educate women about the unborn.

He further stated that the attorney general's lawsuit seeks to deny the First Amendment rights of the law firm's clients and is "without factual or legal basis."