Doctor asks court to uphold Arizona’s pro-life law

WHO: Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys

WHAT: Available for media interviews following oral arguments in Planned Parenthood Arizona v. Brnovich II

WHEN: Immediately following hearing, which begins at 2 p.m. MST, Wednesday, Nov. 30

WHERE: Division Two of the Arizona Court of Appeals, 3rd floor courtroom, State Office Complex, 400 W. Congress St., North Building, Tucson; or view the hearing via livestream. To schedule an interview, contact ADF Media Relations Manager Bernadette Tasy at (480) 356-0324.

TUCSON, Ariz. – Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys representing Dr. Eric Hazelrigg, an obstetrician and medical director of Choices Pregnancy Center in Arizona, will be available for media interviews Wednesday following oral arguments at the Arizona Court of Appeals.

In September, the Arizona Superior Court in Pima County appointed Hazelrigg as the guardian ad litem to legally represent the best interests of unborn children in Arizona. The court also ruled that the state is free to protect the lives of unborn children and the health and safety of mothers by enforcing its pre-Roe v. Wade law that offers substantial protection from the harms of abortion. ADF attorneys had argued for that result in a brief filed in August, asking the court to grant the Arizona attorney general’s request to lift the injunction against the state’s pro-life law, which the court had previously blocked based on Roe.

“Pro-life laws like the one in Arizona not only help protect the lives of countless innocent, unborn children, but they also protect the dignity and health of women by providing real support during a difficult time,” said ADF Senior Counsel Mark Lippelmann, who will be arguing before the court on behalf of Hazelrigg. “We’re pleased to represent Dr. Hazelrigg, who has been appointed to speak on behalf of countless unborn children who cannot yet speak on their own.”

“Arizona is eager to preserve the innocent lives of children and restore dignity to women and the medical profession,” said ADF Senior Counsel Denise Harle, director of the ADF Center for Life. “We’re pleased the lower court allowed the attorney general to enforce the state’s duly enacted law that protects the lives of mothers and their children. The appeals court should uphold that ruling.”

• Pronunciation guide: Harle (HAR’-lee)

Alliance Defending Freedom is an alliance-building, non-profit legal organization committed to protecting religious freedom, free speech, parental rights, and the sanctity of life.

# # #