Today's Pioneer Press contains an article by Bob Ingrassia regarding the
annual Good Friday demonstration by the Pro-life Action Ministries in
Highland Park. For anyone who thought that a mayor doesn't have
anything to do with the abortion issue, think again.
For tomorrow, Planned Parenthood applied for and was granted a parade
permit so it could control the activities immediately surrounding its
property, as it is legally entitled to do, on a day when as many as
1,000 protesters are expected to demonstrate at its Highland Park
clinic. Last year, St. Paul Police found this to be a good arrangement
for monitoring the safety of all involved.
Acting unilaterally, without City Council concurrence or even
notification, Mayor Kelly's office and the City Attorney have
interpreted recent caselaw: 1) to force Planned Parenthood to share its
permit with Prolife Action Ministries on Good Friday; and 2) to
introduce amendments to city ordinances to conform to their
interpretation of caselaw.
On Tuesday, the City Attorney led our office to believe that the
decision regarding the Good Friday demonstration was the result of a
court order. It was only when Jay and I read Ingrassia's article this
morning that we learned this decision was made entirely by the Mayor and
his City Attorney.
That City Council offices and the public would be misled by our mayor
is bad enough, but that we can't rely on accurate information from the
City Attorney is a disgrace indeed. No matter which side of the
abortion issue you are on, this is NOT the way city government is
supposed to work. I urge anyone concerned about this to call Deputy
Mayor Dennis Flaherty, 266-8519, and City Attorney Manuel Cervantes,
266-8710.
Jane Prince, Ward 4 Legislative Aide, 651/266-8641
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