Contact: Kristin Hansen, Care Net, 703-544-8742

LANSDOWNE, Va., June 9, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- On behalf of Care Net, six Care Net affiliate pregnancy centers in the State of Maryland and other national pregnancy center organizations, Americans United for Life (AUL) has filed an Amicus Curiae, "friend of the court," brief with the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in support of the Greater Baltimore Center for Pregnancy Concerns, Inc.

The Baltimore pregnancy center is challenging the anti-pregnancy center ordinance enacted against them in late 2009, which would subject the center to fines if it fails to issue certain disclaimers. The ordinance applies to the center specifically because it is pro-life, and no similar ordinance was enacted against organizations providing or referring for abortion.

The Greater Baltimore Center won its case at the District Court level; however, the City of Baltimore is now appealing the decision to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals under the representation of attorneys from the Center for Reproductive Rights.

While the case involving the Baltimore measure advances, abortion advocates in California announced this week their intent to introduce a similar measure in the City of San Francisco. The announcement is consistent with a nationwide strategy recently revealed in a video by NARAL Pro-Choice New York to target pregnancy centers in urban areas with hostile legislation.

Care Net President Melinda Delahoyde said the legislative attacks against pregnancy centers are of deep concern, but not surprising. "The public needs to know that these legislative attacks against pregnancy centers are focused on urban areas, the very areas where abortion providers are prevalent, support for abortion alternatives is lacking, and abortion rates are skyrocketing," Delahoyde said. "Truly, we wouldn't be seeing all this activity by abortion advocates if pregnancy centers weren't making a difference in helping women choose alternatives to abortion."

For interviews, contact the Care Net press office at (703) 554-8742.