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Protesters outside Metropolitan Medical Associates in Englewood in 2007. A pro-life advocate filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Englewood Wednesday, claiming an ordinance prohibits her from speaking with women headed into the clinic.

(Star-Ledger file photo)

NEWARK — A New Jersey pro-life advocate filed a federal lawsuit against Englewood Wednesday, claiming a city law effectively prevents her from approaching women headed into an abortion clinic to tell them "God loves you and your baby."

Jeryl Turco of Wayne says the ordinance adopted last year violates her constitutional right to free speech by prohibiting her from using the public sidewalk outside Metropolitan Medical Associates to counsel women.

Turco says she is a Christian, pro-life volunteer with a "deeply held religious belief that abortion takes the life of an innocent child and is, therefore, immoral," according to the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court.

On Saturday mornings for the past seven and a half years, the lawsuit says, Turco has used the public sidewalk outside the Engle Street clinic to distribute literate and offer women a rosary.

"We can help you," Turco tells the women, according to the lawsuit. "It's never too late to change your mind."

In March 2014, Englewood adopted an ordinance prohibiting individuals from remaining on a public sidewalk within 8 feet of an entrance, exit or driveway of a health care facility. The action came after city officials said anti-abortion protesters were seen arguing with patients. Violators face fines of up to $1,000 or a 90-day jail term, the lawsuit claims.

Englewood city manager Timothy Dacey said he had not yet seen the lawsuit yet and declined to comment.

Turco's lawsuit, filed by lawyers representing pro-life groups in Kentucky and Budd Lake, says the U.S. Supreme Court last year declared a similar law unconstitutional.

In that case, a Boston ordinance prohibited advocates from coming within a 56-foot-wide section of public sidewalk outside an abortion clinic during business hours, the lawsuit adds.

The lawsuit claims the buffer zone outside the Englewood clinic is similar in size.

Turco says that while she is being kept at a distance, so-called "escorts" have been allowed to use the same sidewalk "to express their viewpoints concerning abortion."

She is asking a federal judge to declare the ordinance unconstitutional and is seeking an injunction preventing the city from enforcing the law.

Four lines have painted on the public sidewalk in front of the clinic, designating a buffer zone in front of 40 Engle St. where activity is limited, according to the lawsuit.

As a result, the lawsuit says, so-called escorts have been telling patients to have someone drop them off directly in front of the door.

"Prior to the enactment of the ordinance, Plaintiff would often have the opportunity to hand literature and rosary to women who were interested in receiving them and to engage in discussions in a conversational tone with them, as they walked along the public sidewalk in front of nearby buildings and in front of the abortion clinic," the lawsuit claims.

Turco's attorney, Francis Manion, said a similar lawsuit filed last year was dismissed after the attorney representing one of the plaintiffs died.

Thomas Zambito may be reached at tzambito@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TomZambito. Find NJ.com on Facebook.