2011 Victories: Prolife Pregnancy Centers Remain Open

This is the latest installment in a year-end series looking back at a few of the hundreds of victories by the ACLJ in 2011.

When, at the behest of the abortion lobby, the New York City Counsel passed a city ordinance that threatened to shut down prolife pregnancy centers and silence their lifesaving message, the ACLJ stepped in. Representing a majority of the city’s prolife centers, the ACLJ sued the city and won a critical preliminary injunction preventing this unconstitutional law from going into effect. As a result, these prolife centers have been able to continue their lifesaving work defending the unborn and ministering to women in need.

Now, New York City has appealed the trial court’s preliminary injunction preventing this dangerous law from going in to effect to a federal appeals court. ACLJ attorneys are working to keep this victory in place by preparing our defense of these prolife centers on appeal.

Our argument is simple. This pro-abortion ordinance would force pro-life advocates to communicate messages about abortion – which not only violate their conscience but the very purpose of their organizations – or face fines and possible closure. Such forced speech is an unconstitutional restriction on their free speech rights.

To help the ACLJ continue to have the resources we need to make these victories possible and continue these fights, please consider making a donation to the ACLJ through our year-end Matching Challenge. Your gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar though the end of the year.