Ninth Circuit Denies Center for Medical Progress’s Latest Appeal
Today, the Ninth Circuit ruled that the Center for Medical Progress (CMP) must turn over the names of all the people with whom they shared the National Abortion Federation’s (NAF) confidential information. CMP has thus far refused to identify those individuals despite repeatedly being ordered to do so by the district court, claiming they had a First Amendment “right of association” to refuse to disclose these individuals because they were “donors” and “critical supporters” of CMP’s “activities.” The Ninth Circuit squarely rejected these arguments, and held that the individuals in question were “intimately involved in the planning and funding of the Center’s alleged conspiracy.”
This is the second time in two months that CMP and David Daleiden have attempted to shut down discovery that the district court held is “essential” to our pending preliminary injunction motion. The district court has described CMP and David Daleiden’s conduct in litigation as a “shell game” and an effort on their part to “hide the ball.”
“Every day that the defendants refuse to disclose who they gave access to our confidential information puts our members in harm’s way,” said NAF President and CEO Vicki Saporta. “Given the recent attack at one of the Planned Parenthood affiliates who was featured in the defendants’ discredited videos, it is more important than ever to protect the safety and security of our members.”
Since July, NAF has been seeking a preliminary injunction, which would prohibit CMP, David Daleiden, and others from releasing recordings and materials they illegally obtained at NAF’s educational meetings. The preliminary injunction hearing is now scheduled for December 18.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
12/3/2015
CONTACT:
Alissa Manzoeillo, National Abortion Federation
202.667.5881, ext 219; 202.595.4395 (after hours/cell)
amanzoeillo@prochoice.org
The National Abortion Federation (NAF) is the professional association of abortion providers. Our members include individuals, private and non-profit clinics, Planned Parenthood affiliates, women’s health centers, physicians’ offices, and hospitals who together care for approximately half the women who choose abortion in the U.S. and Canada each year. Our members also include public hospitals and both public and private clinics in Mexico City and private clinics in Colombia.