Court Rules in Favor of Life

[Poche]

A panel of federal judges unanimously ruled last week to protect the Pro-Life Action League’s ability to recover the costs of a 28-year legal struggle against the National Organization for Women.

The decision assures the pro-life group’s claim to over $60,000 in awards.

"Today we celebrate a long-awaited, hopefully final victory for millions of pro-lifers here and around the country," said Tom Brejcha, president and chief counsel of the Thomas More Society in an April 30 statement.

“After nearly 28 years of litigating and three trips to the U.S. Supreme Court, we are proud to declare that pro-lifers' First Amendment rights to free speech and association are once again secure and protected by law.”

[Poche]

In a stunning unanimous decision, the US Supreme Court has struck down a Massachusetts law that barred pro-life activists from coming with 35 feet of the door of an abortion clinic.

The "bubble zone" law allowed clinic employees to enter the area in front of abortion clinics, and allowed ordinary pedestrians on the sidewalk, but forced pro-life counselors outside the area. The Court found that this approach constituted an unconstitutional infringement on freedom of speech.

Writing for the Court in the McCullen v. Coakley case, Justice Samuel Alito said: "It is clear on the face of the Massachusetts law that it discriminates based on viewpoint. Speech in favor of the clinic and its work by employees and agents is permitted; speech criticizing the clinic and its work is a crime. This is blatant viewpoint discrimination."

[Patricia]

Good!!