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SF City Attorney To Fight 'Crisis Pregnancy Centers' Over Ads

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) – Legislation is being introduced in San Francisco to stop anti-abortion "crisis pregnancy centers" from misleading women, who are in search of abortion services.

San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera said First Resort, a Pregnancy Counseling Women's Health Clinic, has paid Google for top placement in search results for abortion providers in San Francisco.

KCBS' Anna Duckworth Reports:

But Herrera said the organization's stated purpose in licensing documents is to "achieve an abortion-free world" and it does not perform or refer clients for abortion services.

"It is a pro-life organization that seeks to push a political agenda, which has nothing to do with protecting a women's right to choose," said Herrera.

Herrera said he's sending a letter to First Resort telling it to stop deceptive advertising or face legal action.

At the same time, San Francisco Supervisor Malia Cohen is introducing legislation that would apply to all of the city's crisis pregnancy centers.

"It is unfortunately too locked in that the case of the young, immigrant and low income women, who have unplanned pregnancies, fall victim to these deceptive advertising practices and are unaware of all the options and resources available," she said.

In a statement, First Resort denied the allegations and said it respects a women's right to choose.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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