ACLJ Disappointed with Florida Court Decision Denying Parents of Terri Schindler Schiavo Permission to Enter Constitutional Case to Defend 'Terri's Law'.Business Editors CLEARWATER, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 4, 2003 The American Center The American Center is a high-rise tower in Southfield, Michigan. It was built in 1975 and stands at 26 floors, with one basement floor, for a total of 27. The building's main use is that of a typical office tower. It also includes a parking garage and retail spaces. for Law and Justice, an international public interest law firm specializing in constitutional law, said today it is disappointed that a Florida state court denied its motion to intervene on behalf of Robert and Mary Schindler - the parents of Terri Schindler Schiavo - in a lawsuit brought by Michael Schiavo Michael Richard Schiavo (born April 3, 1963) was the husband of Terri Schiavo, who became a public figure in a national debate over end-of-life issues. Following his wife's collapse, he led a seven-year but ultimately successful and controversial campaign to remove her feeding tube and supported by the ACLU ACLU: see American Civil Liberties Union. challenging the constitutionality of the actions of Florida Governor Jeb Bush John Ellis "Jeb" Bush (born February 11, 1953) is an American politician, and was the 43rd Governor of Florida as well as the first Republican to be re-elected to that office. He is a prominent member of the Bush family: the younger brother of current President George W. and the Florida legislature in ordering life-saving measures to be restored to Terri Schindler Schiavo. "We're very disappointed with the court's ruling," said Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the ACLJ ACLJ American Center for Law and Justice ACLJ Appleseed Center for Law and Justice (Washington, DC) . "It is clear that state law permits the parents to get directly involved in a case to defend a state law that is keeping their daughter alive. It is unfortunate that the court did not find that the parents have sufficient legal interest in defending the state's actions - actions that provide the only barrier between Terri and death by starvation. We are currently examining all legal options available - including an appeal - for our clients. We will do everything possible to ensure that the interests of Terri's parents are represented in this case." Sekulow said the ACLJ is considering several options including filing a motion with the court to reconsider its ruling denying the motion to intervene; filing an appeal with the Florida Second District Court of Appeal The Florida Second District Court of Appeal is headquartered in Lakeland, Florida and has a branch in Tampa. See also
"While the court will permit the filing of an amicus brief on behalf of the parents, it is difficult to imagine that the court would shut out the parents from becoming directly involved in a case where the life of their daughter is at stake," said Sekulow. "We believe the state acted properly and constitutionally in taking the life-saving actions and we believe the Schindlers should be permitted to be involved directly in a case where the outcome may well determine if Terri lives or dies. Without doubt, the Schindlers should be permitted to enter this case to defend 'Terri's Law.'" The Schindlers want to respond directly as a party to the lawsuit filed by Michael Schiavo, Terri's husband, challenging the constitutionality of "Terri's Law" - legislation that gave Governor Jeb Bush the authority to order Terri's feeding tube feeding tube n. A flexible tube that is inserted through the pharynx and into the esophagus and stomach and through which liquid food is passed. re-inserted and her nutrition and hydration hydration /hy·dra·tion/ (hi-dra´shun) the absorption of or combination with water. hy·dra·tion n. 1. The addition of water to a chemical molecule without hydrolysis. 2. resumed. The American Civil Liberties Union American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), nonpartisan organization devoted to the preservation and extension of the basic rights set forth in the U.S. Constitution. has joined with Michael Schiavo in this legal challenge in the case of Schiavo v. Bush. The ACLJ is representing the parents in only one aspect of this ongoing case - the legal challenge to the constitutionality of the actions of the Governor and state legislature. Patricia Fields Anderson, an attorney in St. Petersburg, is representing Terri's parents in all other aspects of the case. The American Center for Law and Justice is an international public interest law firm specializing in constitutional law and the protection of human life. The ACLJ is based in Washington, D.C. and its web site address is www.aclj.org. |
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