Church Concerned that It May be Targeted Over Pro-Life Speech Activities Near Planned Parenthood

The American Center for Law & Justice represents the Everett, Washington, chapter of The Church at Planned Parenthood. The Church at Planned Parenthood-Everett (“TCAPP”) is an organization that hosts a “gathering of Christians for the worship of God and the corporate prayer for repentance for this nation, repentance for the apathetic church and repentance of our blood guiltiness in this abortion holocaust.”

In April 2019, TCAPP began holding monthly worship services in Everett, near the Planned Parenthood Everett Health Center. In June, TCAPP was approached by City of Everett law enforcement officers who stated that the City of Everett had enacted a new permitting structure that TCAPP may need to complete to continue holding its events.

Then, in August, the Everett City Council passed an ordinance entitled “Interference with a Health Care Facility” so as to enable the City to prosecute offenses such as “making noise that unreasonably disturbs the peace within the facility,” and encompasses any facilities that “provide[] health care services directly to patients . . . .”

The Everett police have not yet shut down TCAPP’s worship services, but the organization remains concerned that these recent actions by the City of Everett Law Enforcement and Everett City Council may signal that the City intends to interfere with the services soon. The ACLJ sent a letter to the City of Everett on behalf of TCAPP to obtain additional information about this situation and await a response.

We remain determined to protect the rights of TCAPP and others to gather and pray on behalf of the unborn. As this situation unfolds in Washington, our trial against Planned Parenthood in California begins. Keep watch on our website for updates from the trial.