ACLJ Appeals Unconstitutional Sign Ban That Silences Pro-Life Voices in Illinois

As hundreds of thousands of Americans gather in Washington, D.C., today for the March for Life, the ACLJ is fighting a critical battle in the courts to protect the constitutional rights of pro-life advocates who are sharing their life-affirming message and saving babies.

Today, we filed an appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit on behalf of Brandon Hamman, a dedicated pro-life advocate and preacher in Carbondale, Illinois, whose First Amendment rights were violated when city officials silenced his peaceful pro-life witness outside an abortion facility.

The Case for Life

Brandon’s mission is simple yet profound: to glorify God through the proclamation of the Gospel and to rescue babies from abortion. As a local missionary employed by Christ Church of Carbondale, through his pro-life ministry, “Gospel for Life,” he regularly goes to abortion facilities to peacefully share his message of hope with women considering abortion.

On April 16, Brandon was outside the CHOICES Center for Reproductive Health with signs displaying messages like “Love Your Preborn Neighbor as Yourself,” and “We Will Adopt Your Baby.” These aren’t just signs – they’re lifelines offering hope, support, and alternatives to women in crisis.

But city officials demanded he remove his signs from the public land, threatening him with arrest, citation, and confiscation. Even though the city ordinance appeared to allow temporary signs for nonprofit organizations like his, officials refused to issue him a permit and enforced a blanket ban against his pro-life message.

Take action with the ACLJ and add your name to the petition: Stop Criminalizing Saving Unborn Babies.

Constitutional Rights Under Attack

The district court’s decision denying our motion for a preliminary injunction fundamentally misunderstands both the Constitution and the circumstances of this case. Brandon’s signs conveyed essential information to women who desperately needed to hear it.

The prohibition on placing signs in the ground is a restriction that fundamentally alters Brandon’s ability to effectively communicate his message. As he explained, when he’s speaking directly with a woman in crisis, planted signs continue sharing his lifesaving message with others passing by. He cannot be everywhere at once, and these signs extend his reach to save more lives.

The city’s selective enforcement raises serious constitutional concerns. Brandon documented other temporary signs throughout Carbondale that remained in place, yet his pro-life message was immediately targeted for removal. One police sergeant even admitted on camera that city officials were engaging in content-based enforcement.

The Path Forward

Now that we’ve filed our notice of appeal, the case moves to the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, which has jurisdiction over federal appeals from Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. In the coming months, we will file our opening brief presenting our legal arguments for why the district court erred in denying the preliminary injunction. The city will then file its response brief, and we’ll have an opportunity to file a reply.

After the briefs are submitted, the Seventh Circuit will schedule oral arguments, where our attorneys will present Brandon’s case before a three-judge panel. This appellate process typically takes several months, and we will urge the Seventh Circuit at every step of the way to recognize the constitutional violations at stake and vindicate his First Amendment rights to share his pro-life message freely.

As we appeal this decision, we remain steadfast in our commitment to defending the constitutional rights of pro-life advocates across America. The freedom to peacefully share the pro-life message in public forums is fundamental to our First Amendment rights and essential to saving lives.

This case isn’t just about signs or ordinances – it’s about whether pro-life Americans can effectively share their message in the public square without government censorship. It’s about protecting the voices that speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.

Today, as hundreds of thousands gather for the March for Life, we are reminded that the fight to protect life happens not just once a year in D.C., but every day in communities across America. Brandon is on the front lines of that fight in Carbondale, and the ACLJ is honored to stand with him.

We will not be silenced. We will not back down. And we will continue fighting for life. Take action with the ACLJ and add your name to the petition: Stop Criminalizing Saving Unborn Babies.