**Media Advisory*** ACLU v Reno: Update FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, February 8, 1996 Judge Sets Date for Government to File Reply Brief; Government Agrees Not to Prosecute for 7 days Government Concedes that Abortion Speech Restrictions Are Unconstitutional ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. In the first court action over the constitutionality of the Communications Decency Act, federal Judge Ronald L. Buckwalter today instructed the government to file a reply brief to the ACLU's request for a temporary restraining order by Wednesday, February 14. Lawyers representing the ACLU and the 19 other plaintiffs challenging the law said that Judge Buckwalter's reaction to the arguments against the constitutionality of the law was positive. 2. Although he declined to issue an immediate restraining order against the law, Judge Buckwalter directed the government to refrain from prosecuting for so-called indecent or patently offensive material online, at least until the TRO motion is decided. ACLU Attorney Chris Hansen, who is leading the litigation, said that he was pleased with the judge's action today, but cautioned that the Internet community still faces prosecution should the Communications Decency Act ultimately be upheld. 3. During today's hearing, the government conceded the unconstitutionality of the abortion speech restrictions of the telecommunications act. While the ACLU claimed an early win for reproductive rights and free speech, Catherine Weiss of the ACLU's Reproductive Freedom Project said that a complete victory could not be claimed until the Justice Department puts the concession in writing, which she said they have so far refused to do. Complete information on the lawsuit is available via ACLU's new "Freedom Network" World Wide Web page, <>, and via the ACLU's Constitution Hall forum on America Online. --30-- Transmitted: 3/16/96 11:49 PM (n020896c) -- Stanton McCandlish
mech@eff.org

Electronic Frontier Foundation

Online Activist