Nurses Sue NJ Hospital Claiming Forced Participation In Abortion Procedures

A lawsuit was filed last week by a group of nurses against the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey claiming that the University has demanded that the nurses assist in abortions in violation of their religious objections, and that they begin training to do so immediately.  The complaint (full text) in Danquah v. University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, (D NJ, filed 10/31/2011), alleges that these demands violate federal and state statutes that protect the conscience rights of medical personnel, and also violate the 14th Amendment. AP reported yesterday that the University has assured the court that it will not require nurses to participate in the training until after a scheduled Nov. 18 court hearing.