Victory for Life and Free Speech!

Today, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of free speech rights for pregnancy centers in California. In the case of NIFLA vs. Becerra, the Court ruled in favor of the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates (NIFLA), and found that the California law, which forces pro-life pregnancy centers to advertise for abortion, is likely a violation of free speech.

The Supreme Court agreed to hear the case in November 2017 which challenged California’s Freedom, Accountability, Comprehensive Care and Transparency (FACT) Act. The law required pregnancy care centers to advertise for tax-payer funded abortions in their waiting rooms and on all online and in-print advertisements.

Judges Thomas, Roberts, Kennedy, Alito, and Gorsuch voted in favor of the ruling. Judges Breyer, Ginsburg, Sotomayor, and Kagan filed a dissenting opinion. Judge Clarence Thomas delivered the opinion of the Court.

“The California Reproductive FACT Act was a deliberate attack by the abortion industry to gain an advantage over pro-life pregnancy centers, and, at the heart of the matter, to squelch the free speech rights of American citizens,” says Meg Wittman, Executive Director of Cincinnati Right to Life. “It is unfortunate and telling that four justices dissented, placing their abortion agenda above constitutional rights. However, we are relieved and grateful that the Supreme Court has ruled in favor of life today. Free speech does indeed have life!”

This ruling is likely to have ramifications on similar cases in both Hawaii and Illinois.