Victory Under Attack: ACLJ Defends Pro-Life Advocates Assaulted at the Supreme Court

Yesterday’s major legal victory for the pro-life movement was met with violence from abortion zealots. After being spat on by vile abortion protestors, our client was falsely detained. Our legal team quickly stepped in to defend him, and within hours, he was released and the false charges were dropped.

Following the Supreme Court’s historic decision yesterday in Medina v. Planned Parenthood (a case in which the ACLJ filed a vital amicus brief), allowing states like South Carolina to defund Planned Parenthood, pro-life advocates gathered at the U.S. Supreme Court to celebrate this victory for the unborn. Among them was our longtime ally, Reverend Pat Mahoney, and some of his pro-life friends, who expressed his joy that South Carolina’s principled stand against funding the nation’s largest abortion provider had been vindicated by the highest Court in the land.

However, the peaceful celebration was quickly disrupted. Pro-abortion advocates, clearly angered by this latest legal setback to Planned Parenthood’s agenda, also descended on the Supreme Court steps. What should have been a moment of celebration for constitutional principles and the protection of innocent life instead became a scene of hostility and violence. Eyewitnesses and cell phone video evidence document that these peaceful pro-life protesters were shoved, struck, and spat upon by aggressive pro-abortion protesters. Radical pro-abortion activists even spat on children.

One of the pro-abortion protesters ripped our client’s wife’s cell phone out of her hand and threw it into the street, breaking it. As our client went to retrieve his wife’s phone, the protester tripped and blamed our client. The situation escalated when law enforcement, apparently misled by the false accusations from abortion advocates, detained our client. Despite clear video evidence showing that this individual was the victim – having been spat upon rather than being the aggressor – he was taken into custody for processing and questioning. This detainment represents a troubling example of how abortion advocates’ lies can temporarily pervert justice, even when the truth is captured on video.

ACLJ’s Immediate Response

The ACLJ responded swiftly to this injustice. When Reverend Mahoney contacted our offices and let us know that one of his pro-life friends had been wrongfully detained, we immediately mobilized our legal team to defend these pro-life advocates. Our attorneys quickly got on the phone with the police and went down to the jail to intervene– working directly with law enforcement officials to present the factual evidence and clear the names of these peaceful protesters. Through our rapid intervention, we successfully secured the quick release of our client. Not only was our wrongfully detained client released within hours, but all charges were dropped. This outcome demonstrates the importance of having experienced legal advocates who can respond immediately when pro-life Americans face false accusations and wrongful detainment.

Standing With Our Client

Our commitment to defending religious liberty and the rights of pro-life advocates extends beyond the courtroom. ACLJ attorneys personally waited outside the detention facility with Reverend Mahoney, ensuring that our client and his wife knew they had full legal support throughout this ordeal. This hands-on approach reflects our understanding that facing false charges can be both legally and emotionally challenging.

The Broader Fight Continues

This incident highlights a disturbing pattern: As the pro-life movement continues to achieve legal victories, abortion advocates are becoming increasingly desperate and violent in their responses. The DOJ’s Office of Civil Rights has recently announced a priority for the office in using the FACE Act – previously used to protect pro-abortion radicals – in a more equal manner to protect pro-life advocates.

We filed an amicus brief in the recent Medina case, and we argued that states have every right to direct their healthcare funding toward legitimate medical providers and away from abortion businesses masquerading as healthcare facilities. Yesterday’s victory vindicated that position and will help other states follow South Carolina’s example.

Moving Forward

The ACLJ remains committed to defending the constitutional rights of pro-life Americans, whether in the Supreme Court or on the streets, when they face false accusations, like our client Zack Knotts, who faced criminal charges for advocating for the sanctity of life. We will continue to fight for the legal protection of the unborn while also ensuring that those who peacefully advocate for life are protected from both violence and legal persecution.

As abortion advocates become more desperate in the face of mounting legal defeats, we can expect more incidents like this one. The ACLJ stands ready to defend the rights of pro-life Americans wherever and whenever they face attack.