June 26, 2018

“The Supreme Court has delivered another resounding win for freedom, this time upholding the right of pro-life pregnancy centers to decline to speak on behalf of the state to promote abortion.  The state of California, in a classic example of compelled speech, sought to force non-profit organizations deeply committed to supporting pregnant women who wish to give birth to advertise the state’s free or low cost abortions.  The Court recognized this injustice as what it is: a violation of the First Amendment rights that make America a beacon and an example to the world.” – Dr. Grazie Pozo Christie, Policy Advisor for The Catholic Association.

“Today’s decision protecting pregnancy centers from having to advertise or refer for abortion reveals the extremism of the abortion industry. These centers exist to offer women a clear alternative to abortion and the abortion lobby bullied them all the way to the Supreme Court because they could not tolerate authentic choice for women. From the start, the case was a free-speech no brainer. Our First Amendment right to freedom of speech not only protects the right to speak out, it protects the right not to speak. Compelled speech is the doing of authoritarian regimes, not free and flourishing democracies. Thankfully, efforts to force pregnancy resource centers to violate their core beliefs have failed and they can continue to serve women and offer them true hope and a chance to flourish.” – Ashley McGuire, Senior Fellow with The Catholic Association.

“Intolerance lost at the Supreme Court today. The Court reaffirmed the 1^st Amendment principle that the state cannot compel speech in pursuit of ideological conformity.  The Supreme Court struck down California’s law forcing pro-life pregnancy centers to promote the state’s family planning programs which include abortion.  As Justice Thomas, writing for a 5-4 majority, concisely stated: “California cannot co-opt [pregnancy centers] to deliver its message for it.”  Americans working at pro-life pregnancy centers offer life-affirming support, resources and accompaniment to women facing unexpected pregnancies.  Today’s Supreme Court decision safeguards the important work of these centers in responding to the needs of countless American women and their babies.” – Andrea Picciotti-Bayer, Legal Advisor for The Catholic Association Foundation