City accused of bias in abortion battle

“For a woman who thinks that she is pregnant or is pregnant, it is a difficult and emotional time,” Lappin said.

The owner of a dozen “crisis pregnancy centers” in New York said he thinks he is being unfairly targeted by a City Council that he says is clearly pro-choice.

“The government is taking the abortionist side of the debate and forcing it down our throats,” said Chris Slattery, founder of Bronx-based Expectant Mother Care pregnancy center. “We’re being completely targeted because we are pro-life.”

The Council is expected to pass a bill tomorrow that will require centers like Slattery’s to list services they do not offer, like abortions, prenatal care and contraceptives.

Pregnancy centers dot the city, and are often built near or in the same buildings as Planned Parenthood locations. Councilwoman Jessica Lappin said they deceptively promise pregnancy help but do not make clear that the help pointedly does not include abortion.

Councilman Daniel Halloran will vote against the bill, which he said violates the First Amendment.

Slattery is preparing to sue. New York University law professor Roderick Hills, Jr., said Slattery will likely have a good chance in court, if he can prove bias.

“That’s less of a medical disclosure and more of an ideological issue,” he said. “The court should be suspicious.”