The ACLU of Pennsylvania will be in Butler County Court Thursday morning to convince a judge to toss out a lawsuit against five Middlesex Township residents who oppose a township ordinance that allows natural gas drilling.

The ACLU claims the suit is designed to stifle public debate on the safety of natural gas drilling.

The lawsuit was filed by developer Dewey Homes & Investment Properties and several gas-lease holders against the five residents and the nonprofits Delaware Riverkeeper Network and Clean Air Council.

The hearing will be before Judge Marilyn Horan.