Judge Blocks Release of New Video by Center for Medical Progress — Read Group's Response to Charges

A federal judge on Friday blocked the release of additional recordings captured by the group behind a series of undercover Planned Parenthood videos.

The move came hours after after the National Abortion Federation filed a request for an injunction and restraining order against the Center for Medical Progress in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

activists hold a rally opposing federal funding for Planned Parenthood in front of the U.S. Capitol on July 28, 2015 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Olivier Douliery/Getty Images)

Judge William Orrick in San Fransisco granted a temporary restraining order after it was argued the footage was captured in an unethical and unlawful manner. The National Abortion Federation also contended the release of new footage could endanger individuals captured on video.

[sharequote align="right"]"The Center for Medical Progress will contest any attempts to suppress our First Amendment rights..."[/sharequote]

“The safety and security of our members is our top priority,” the group's president Vicki Saporta said in a statement. “That security has been compromised by the illegal activities of a group with ties to those who believe it is justifiable to murder abortion providers. CMP went to great lengths to infiltrate our meetings as part of a campaign to intimidate and attack abortion providers.”

The Center for Medical Progress adamantly contested the charges in a statement posted online.

"The Center for Medical Progress follows all applicable laws in the course of our investigative journalism work," the group said. "The National Abortion Federation is a criminal organization that has spent years conspiring with Planned Parenthood on how to violate federal laws on partial-birth abortion and fetal tissue sales."

"The Center for Medical Progress will contest any attempts to suppress our First Amendment rights to free speech or silence the freedom of the citizen press," the organization added.

The Center for Medical Progress has released four videos over the last few weeks purporting to show Planned Parenthood officials discussing the sale of aborted fetus parts.

Neither a spokesperson for the National Abortion Federation or Center for Medical Progress was immediately available to TheBlaze for comment.

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