News

SIOUX FALLS, S.D., May 16, 2012 (LifeSiteNews.com)—Last week, a citation for unlawful assembly against the pro-life advocacy group Missionaries to the Preborn was dismissed after legal advocates say a city ordinance was improperly invoked.

The Milwaukee-based group encountered trouble at their pro-life outreach and education event in Sioux Falls when the 50-strong group received a citation for not obtaining a permit. A city ordinance requires a permit for groups of 10 or more persons engaged in public assembly.

Missionaries member Jason Storms contacted Life Legal Defense Foundation (LLDF) Legal Director Katie Short who told the Sioux Falls city attorney that, based on precedent in relevant case law the ordinance at issue was unconstitutional in its permit requirement. Following this conversation, the group was allowed to continue their demonstration, and the citation was eventually dropped in its entirety.

“We are happy that the citation was dismissed,” said Dana Cody, Executive Director of the Life Legal Defense Foundation. “Once again it was a matter of the police and government going overboard in their attack on free speech.”

The ordinance at issue had been previously amended and was improperly invoked, even by its own terms, against the pro-life advocates’ activities, according to LLDF. The City has stated that it will review the way the ordinance is being enforced.