Press conference Monday featuring NJ nurses forced to help with abortions

WHO: ADF Legal Counsel Matt Bowman, ADF-allied attorney Demetrios Stratis, Rep. Chris Smith, and several N.J. nurses in lawsuit against UMDNJ Hospital
WHAT: Press conference concerning Danquah v. University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey lawsuit
WHEN: Monday, Nov. 14 at 1 p.m. EST
WHERE: 65 Bergen St., Newark, across from UMDNJ administration building. Park on street or in nearby UMDNJ garage on 12th Ave.

NEWARK, N.J. — Several of the 12 nurses who recently filed suit to stop a New Jersey hospital from forcing them to help with abortions will participate in a press conference Monday at 1 p.m. EST. Joining the nurses will be U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.), who will lead the press conference together with the Alliance Defense Fund attorneys who are representing the nurses in their lawsuit.

“Pro-life nurses shouldn’t be forced to assist or train in services related to abortions,” said ADF Legal Counsel Matt Bowman. “These 12 nurses have encountered threats to their jobs at this hospital ever since a policy change required them to participate in abortion cases regardless of their religious and moral objections.”

On Nov. 3, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order against the hospital run by the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey after it agreed to allow the nurses to opt out of assisting with abortion cases until a court hearing on Dec. 5.

Federal law prohibits hospitals that receive certain federal funds from forcing employees to participate in abortions or related health services. UMDNJ receives approximately $60 million in known federal health funds annually. In addition, New Jersey law states, “No person shall be required to perform or assist in the performance of an abortion or sterilization.” The lawsuit requests that the hospital be ordered to obey these laws and to return part of the federal taxpayer money it has received in light of its violation of federal conscience laws.