Pregnancy clinics ask Supreme Court to protect them from forced abortion advertising

Washington, DC—A major pro-life case is being filed with the U.S. Supreme Court today that could become one of the biggest abortion-related cases in years. 

At issue is a California law that requires pro-life pregnancy clinics to post signs telling visitors that they can obtain free or low-cost abortions and related services by contacting the county health department.  Similar laws were struck down by federal courts of appeals in New York and Virginia, but the San Francisco-based Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals found nothing wrong with the mandate.  

Pacific Justice Institute represents two pregnancy clinics, one each in Northern and Southern California.  The clinics contend that forcing them to convey a government message that is reprehensible to their beliefs is an egregious violation of the First Amendment.  PJI is filing its brief, known as a Petition for Writ of Certiorari, with the Supreme Court today.  Although most cases have roughly a 1% chance of being granted review by the court, the contradictory rulings by the federal courts of appeals make it much more likely the Supreme Court would weigh in. 

Brad Dacus, president of PJI, and a frequent guest on FOT, commented, “This is an important day for the future of free speech in America.  If the government can force conscientious Americans to advertise for the government and say things that contradict their deeply-held beliefs, our liberties are lost.  We are very hopeful the Supreme Court will take up this case and restore free speech in this crucial area of national debate.”