Earlier this week, Janet Nichols, an organizer for 40 Days for Life, was stopped last minute from showing a screening of Bloodmoney at the Marathon County Public Library. Nichols said she had booked the room and reserved the equipment in advance, and even mentioned that it was a film addressing the financial motivations underpinning the abortion industry. But in the actual booking process, she was not asked anything about who her group was or what film they would be showing.
The Library’s Director, Ralph Illick, admitted that he had no idea what the film was about–that is, until he started seeing messages popping up on Facebook from pro-abortion advocates who were planning to come and stage a protest. That got his attention, and that’s when Illick canceled the meeting.
But no one had asked the library to sponsor or endorse the movie. They had simply reserved some space in a public, tax-payer funded location–something the library has done regularly.
Now, 40 Days for Life is planning on filing a lawsuit based on a violation of their first amendment rights — namely, the freedom of speech and the freedom of assembly.
Scott Corbett, Marathon County’s corporate counsel, has claimed that the library is only a “limited public forum,” citing a 2001 Supreme Court decision that invented this category. In a limited public forum, free speech is regulated. Corbett claims that the library was functioning within this precedent. “In the event that the showing of the movie would provoke a civil disturbance, the purpose server by the forum would be thwarted.” Since a library’s primary function is to provide public access to books, anything happening in the forum that would disrupt that primary purpose can be censored according to the 2001 decision.
Its understandable that the Library wanted to make sure they could still function as a library. But, in this case, Corbett is missing something pretty obvious–the real source of the disturbance. Who is the troublesome party here, the folks sitting quietly and watching a documentary, or the angry people causing a scene in and around the library?
Would This Have Happened if the Roles Were Reversed?
Let’s reverse the roles here for a minute. Let’s imagine that a women’s rights group reserved the room to watch a documentary about new technologies in contraception, including prostaglandin abortions, and let’s imagine that a pro-life group decided to organize a protest because of the inclusion of the abortion content. We can’t say for certain what would happen, but I have a sneaking suspicion that the documentary would get screened without a hitch, and that any disturbance outside would be dealt with by local authorities. And what precedent do you suppose those authorities would cite if the protesters claimed first amendment protection? Why, the 2001 Supreme Court decision on limited public forums, of course!
Are you following me here?
No one’s upset that the library was concerned about making sure it could run smoothly. But if they wanted to invoke the rules about a limited public forum, they should have done in right and gotten rid of the disturbance with the help of local authorities who are tasked with defending the rights of free citizens.
Support the Cause and Help Get Bloodmoney Seen
You can help get the word out by supporting Bloodmoney. Just order a copy of our full length documentary today!.
What Do You Think?
Was the Library within its rights? Should they have called in local police to make sure there was no disturbance of normal Library function? Do you believe the 2001 Supreme Court decision applies?
Sources
NEWS TALK WSAU.com, Tuesday March 29, 2011
Wausau Daily Herald, Mar. 30, 2011
Interesting idea … I am sure that you are right that if it were a Pro-Dea … hmmm … Pro-Choice event, then the local constable would have been summoned, instead of canceling of the event. But that is because us anti-abortion crowd are nothing more than hatemongers.
Sheesh, one of these days He will make it all come out pretty … unfortunately, He doesn’t confide in me when that will be.
Freedom of Speech was definitely violated at the library. I have seen the documentary, “BloodMoney, The Business of Abotion”. It shows the horror of an abortion. The women who received have gone thru much emotional stress as well as their bodies possibly being at risk of infection or death. This film is an informative tool to inform those and our society what is happening with an abortion. As you pointed out, if it would have been a film on contraception devices, etc, it would have been viewed as sex education!!!! It would have been shown. I believe there is much disparity in truth and knowledge that women and men are not aware of when entering an abortion clinic. It is performed as it is cut on a finger!!!!!!!! Not to mention, it will murder an innocent child who was conceived out of sexual pleasure but the consequence being a human life who is too much of a nuisance and a burden for them now!!!!!!! There are women who cannot conceive and would love to have a child! Why destroy God’s greatest gift to us? Scientists try to re-create life in a petri dish to replicate a human being. Why try to recreate life when abortions just kill it!!!!!!!
I am not surprised about the library’s actions. I worked in Oakland Public Library (California) for several years. One superior asked me that I should suggest to a student to sing some other song for our Christmas celebration that would not mention the name of Jesus. On one occasion my supervisor told me that we could not use fir trees according to the library’s policy. The same supervisor told us later that it was ok to use the fir trees. I think there was a problem with calling them Christmas trees. I met some caring serious people working in the library but there are some who use their influence to promote anti-christian views in the name of freedom of speech. (It takes a lot of prayer and fasting because the war is not against people but against principalities). There was a sticker on the staff refrigerator that read “ouch, legislator take your hands out of my body!” to promote the legalization of abortion (this was out of the view of the public). In some of the branches I also saw how books of horoscope, occultism and witchcraft for young adults were also being promoted.
I do not imply that everyone in the library promoted occultism, abortion and prohibited mentioning the name of Jesus in a song but there are people like these in public libraries. I witnessed it. In OPL it was more important to promote freedom of speech than to set filters in the computers to prevent children from using the computers to look at pornography which was a real problem, by the way computers were most of the time used by chidren. This is probably true in most if mot all public libraries. It is like if freedom of speech has become an idol.
Like the judge in the “New Kids in the Block” case said. In war, love and business everything is valid. For the judges anything is right if it promotes their agenda. It is terrible what the judges of our land are up to.
These are all ACLU champions. One just need to know what they opt for and the many cases they deem unimportant and not worthy of their attention.
Public Libraries… the sad thing is some “public servants” are very obsessed with certain agendas they become despotic without even realizing (or perhaps even realizing) their actions violate the rights of others.
Going back to OPL California. The library was always struggling, like many public service agencies- with budget and usage. Just as public schools- budget and student motivation.
Well many years after I quit the library, I went to visit one of the branches where I used to work, still struggling even more. I checked the book shelves, the same stuff. These are some of my experiences working inside the public library system in case this info. is of some value to someone.
The library has no right to cancel the meeting. The protestors are the group that will cause the distrubance. The Pro-Life people are having a meeting and they are not forcing anyone to attend the meeting. The Pro-Life people are giving educational information that needs to be in the hands of the people. We are not a communist country where we are told only certain things. The director of the library looks afraid and does not come across as able to take an objective stand. Face book says a lot of things that sometimes are threatening but people shouldn’t fall apart with just a threat, like the director of the library is doing. He needs to educate himself.
This never would have happened if the roles were reversed. These “Socialist” masses are protesting everywhere throughout our country when they don’t like something they don’t agree with and so they try and shut down our Democratic process. It’s okay for them to have the, “freedom of speech” to say anything and be out there protesting but when it comes to the Conservative media, we are supposed to be “silenced.” So far, this is still a free country & we have the right to be heard!
This is a typical technique by the liberal left – protest to shut down the First Amendment rights of others. Sadly, the library dirctor got scared and did exactly what they wanted him to do. We all need to access what’s right and what’s wrong, then do the right thing. The right thing would have been to allow the meeting (just like the library does for everyone else), then call in the authorities to keep the peace and/or make arrests for those who disrupt the legal rights of others.
What goes through people’s head?? The mothers and the ones that are actually perfroming the abortion. They CAN’T say that they are not killing an inocent baby. They can’t say that there is not a life form. Do they hear themselves when they say the words “Partial Birth abortion” or, God forbid, “infantcide”. People are in jail for the rest of their lives for lesser offences. This is a Massacre. Religion has nothing to do with it. It is just plain WRONG.
I think this is completely stuped. They should be allowed to use the library for whatever purpose they want. Called Freedom of speech. Noone is dragging anyone in to see the movie, they are coming in on thier own. Tax dollars pay for the labrary too, so we should be allowed to use what we pay for.
The Marathon County Library is looking for an excuse to stop our citizens from knowing the truth about abortions. Taxpapers do not want to pay for abortions at any time…..statistics don’t lie. Who is the real source of being troublesome……those in the business of abortions……namely those making a scene, and violating our rights to free speech. THIS IS NOT A FREE AMERICA
Hmmm … so if there is any meeting on any subject that I don’t like, I can merely write something on Facebook and that meeting is canceled?!?
I guess in liberal Wisconsin, free speech is only protected if the government employees agree with you …
Good for for you about the government employees!~!!!!Also great comment about Facebook.
I no longer live in Lincoln County—good thing! [That is just North of Marathon County-Wausau-for those of who who don’t know. I think we have gotten SOOOOOOO policically correct that we are afraid of anything that talks the loudest. Those folks wanting to see the movie quietly and in order should have been protected. Barracades would’ve helped. Sure won’t use Wausau as a reference point to Lincoln County anymore.
This site is awesome and the work being done by the many pro-lifers is one brave thing they do. They have taken the Bull by the Horns and he does’nt like it. I am with you all, in my prayers an the film Blood Money Rocks, I have showen it to all my family and friends and I got tell you it has really rock there world. Some agree some don’t and that has provoke them to learn more on the subject and on the work that Plan ParentHood does. Thank’s for all you do. God Bless.
The manager of the library was out of place in his action to stop the meeting from taking place. I have never read or witnessed a pro life group disrupting a library, any building, a city, including Washington DC. The pro-death people caused a verbal dilemma by calling the library. They alone are the ones that caused the disturbance. The manager of the library should have noted this and acted appropriately. At the risk of calling the manager unfit for his job, he should have put the pro-death people in their place. In any situation of these circumstances the peaceful and law abiding pro-lifers should have been allowed to have their meeting.
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DO NOT STOP THE GOOD WORK YOU ARE DOING . I GIVE YOU MY FULL SUPPORT.ELECTION TIME ????SO BE ALART AND PASS INFO ON AND IN EVERYTHING THAT IS AVAILABLE. E-Mail PRO-LIFE INFO TO M.P. ALL M.P.WITH A QUESTION THAT WILL MAKE THEM NO WAY OUT BUT GIVE HIS OR HER OPINION.May the LORD BLESS YOU ALL .
It is hard to stay objective when the shoe is on the other foot. Of course, someone would had found fault with this showing. Wherever the letter “A” is up for discussion, there will be opposition. Am I surprised? Absolutely not!
Yes, the police should had been notified for safety –on both sides. After all, the library’s director saw messages on Facebook about a protest.
The library is pay by taxpayers. It is for the public use. However, the library does have standards of behavior in its atmosphere. Out of respect of others, one keeps his/her voice volume low. So, who is disturbing? Those watching a film in a designated room or those protesting inside? You decide.
First, EXPOSE what happened by filing suit, writing all the papers, getting the word out. Next, someone should screen a pro-abortion rights film such as Cider House Rules, and openly stage a protest at the library AGAINST screening this film. Let’s see if the reaction is the same. Risha O’Neill, Maricopa, AZ
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hahahaha, yea, good one ….
It sure looks like at least one person is pro-abortion at the library and using power to enforce a personal agenda on everyone else by banning the film.
So the library is a “limited public forum”. That’s interesting. So when the public protests the availability of pornography on library computers, should that not also be stopped, because the library is a limited public forum? Who gets to decide what gets limited? It used to be that legislation was passed in clear (well mostly) language. I agree that this is a typical technique used by the left (socialists). But we keep letting them do it. A lawsuit is how they work, so its time to use their techniques against them, no?
Three cheers for Janet Nichols! Of course the deck is stacked to benefit the other side. That’s why we as pro-lifers have work to do. Full steam ahead!
Well, I guess I know what my next movie will be up here in the Northwoods. Nothing like bringing national attention to a movie you may not have wanted people to see. Great publicity for the title and I will let you all know when our viewing will be.
The viewing would not have been canceled if the roles were reversed because pro-life demonstrations are peaceful and respectful. They canceled the showing because they’re afraid of the shouting, cursing and profane hand gestures that would be going on…and it might not end when the showing ends. Obviously even the authorities are afraid of them. Cowards.
Pingback: Library Censorship Case Catches Media’s Attention « Thomas More Society
Why does the truth ruffle so many feathers?
Because the truth will set you free. John 8:32
Bondage is Pop culture’s newest garment.
The anti life mob are nothing more than domestic terroists.
We must cave to their ways or threats of violence and mayhem will result.
and BINGO, they win…
It’s unfortunate but fighting fire with fire is not the answer.
All I can say… It’s a good thing their mother didn’t believe in abortion!!
No question about it, it’s politically motivated. What else would cause people to try and supress the truth about an organization that customerily violates child protection laws while making money?
Everything is protected at the library and the city gets down right nasty if you try to stop porn from being viewed there. Now a pro life video is considered worse than porn?
I’m Australian so I am unaware of the whole first amendment etc in America. However I reckon the police needed to be informed of the impending disturbance and to let them deal with those who are outside. I understand the library still wants to be a library but I think it was wrong for them to stop the documentary being shown ….
The Centennial library in Greeley, CO showed Michael Moore’s anti-George Bush “documentary”, Fahrenheit 9/11, AND Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth, both of which are controversial and full of false claims. Boulder Library also hung condoms in their library as Christmas decorations, despite many complaints. So… the library says it can’t show Bloodmoney because it is controversial? What hypocrisy! It’s own actions prove that the library system does not seek to avoid controversy. More than that, it is willing to show controversial films whose facts are very questionable, at the very least. At least Bloodmoney’s facts are true. It also doesn’t blaspheme someone’s religion. Of course the decision not to show Bloodmoney is agenda driven! It can be nothing else.
I’m disgusted.
It is becoming increasingly evident that abortion corrupts everything. Government has been co-operating with it from the beginning. It is impossible to allow this killing and not be totally corrupted by it. Protecting it is the first consideration, that’s why we run into so many road-blocks. But we have to keep fighting until we get rid of the whole rotten mess.
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In 1974 (ending in 1975), an event occurred in Kanawha County West Virginia that has been referred to as the first shot in the cultural war. Those protesters proved how low liberals actually are. What was learned in 74 will echo evermore.
(Protester Voices—The 1974 Textbook Tea Party http://www.insectman.us/testimony/protester-voices.htm.)
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Well, I guess the library was within their rights, but it would have made more sense for them to deal with the protesters by calling the police if they got unruly. And maybe it is more concerning to have pro-choice protesters outside your building than pro-lifers, because honestly, pro-lifers’ protests are usually calm, quiet, and respectful of others. Pro-choicers tend to counter-protest in the form of yelling obscenities and such at the pro-life side, or rallying and using cuss words to make their point. At least, the most recent videos I have seen have shown this to be true. Perhaps the library should be more concerned about pro-abortion protests since they might be more disturbing of the peace!
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Our 40 Days For Life group in Austin paid $60.00 to show “Bella” in a public park and still received some flack from passers by, although nothing organized. Our signs were posted in the park and we invited people to join us although I feel it would have been better to advertise our movie night so more people would attend.
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Nowadays criminals and abnormal behaviour people have bigger rights that week, old, normal family and innocent babies. Something must be done to stop it, otherwise it only will get worse.
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Corbett had no right. The pro-abortion crowd should have been stopped. This is a definite case of a first amendment right violation. This should definitely be brought to court. Wait. For all we know the court system may just be as corrupted as the pro-abortion group.
I have screened Maafa21 at the public library, filled the room, which was a huge surprise, and the entire time before the screening I was expecting to be shut down. But when I talked to the library about the content of the film, they said “we are not in the business of censoring presentation, and it is within your rights to screen whatever you like. We have had athiests do presentations, and they have been peacefully picketed, which is the right of those who picketed, so, not a problem. All we ask is that if there is a problem, that you understand, we may have to call the police.” to which I answered, “by all means, of course you should call the police. I will let them know that the screening is taking place if you like.” The library manager should have stood his ground, and NOT canceled the screening. By all means, file the lawsuit.
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Not only should a lawsuit be filed but a Pro-Life protest should happen at the time of the initially scheduled viewing.
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Chris why you say :”a pro-Dea… um… pro-choice”. Let’s call the things by their name: pro-DEATH, they are not offering any choices to women, they are just making money by doing as many abortions as they can.
Actually we know that they also have done “contraception” campaings, just to increase the number of unwanted babies, and so the number of their abortions (2 birds, one shoot: lot of dollars for them!).
No, do not say pro-choice: say pro-death or baby-killers please.
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CHECK THE NEW DONATIONS TO THE LIBARY I WONDER IF THEIR GETTING OR HAVE BEEN PROMISED A NICE FAT CHECK TO FOLLOW.
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Thanks for getting this out to us. Over 40 years ago I and a small group protested at the State House. Go forward with a lawsuit They have to be stopped somehow. Perhaps some of these babies could have been outstanding adults doing something to help the mess this world is in, if they hadn’t been KILLED!
Hooray for what you are doing! Don’t let any of them stop you. If they have rights so do we! Let’s stand up and enforce our rights and get our message out there.
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Definitely a sign of the times. They keep on with the idea that these women have been given a ‘choice’. Choices should only be made after having both sides of the story being presented – the pros and the cons. Too many women are virtually forced into an abortion because the misconception is that there is no other choice. The abortionists are afraid that given both sides these pregnancies would not be terminated and therefore they would not be paid. None of them realize that no that is not the mother’s body, that is a little speaking spirt all on his/her own and no one has the right to tear that little body apart. God forgive them
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When I tried to watch the video, the following message appeared “The video you are trying to view is unavaliable.” Perhaps I should mention I live in Scotland.
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Bloodmoney: Super! Been post abortive since 1977; didn’t deal with it until 2004
in therapy…been working out my own soul’s salvation ever since. For further
healing, suggest “googling Dr. Mercola, search Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome” Then
click on his article on emotional freedom technique. It is free. Super duper healing help. We overcome by the blood of the lamb, the word of our testimony and love not our lives till the death. Rev 11
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Thanks for that resource, Patricia. Keep on the road to healing; you’ll continue to be an invaluable resource to others in your shoes.