Pro-Life Centers Can Continue to Advertise in NYC

Last week, the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) received a ‘stay’ from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit that will protect two non-profit organizations that operate numerous pro-life crisis pregnancy centers in New York City.  ACLJ represented them in a lawsuit challenging a New York City law that imposes burdensome disclaimer and confidentiality requirements upon crisis pregnancy centers.

 

The law, enacted in March 2011, was designed by pro-abortion legislators to severely limit the ability of pro-life centers to advertise their services, and to divert the course of conversations that these centers have with women who are interested in their services … by requiring three lengthy disclaimers to be included (in English and Spanish) in any advertisements, in conversations in which a woman asks about abortion, contraception, or pre-natal care, and on signs posted at the center’s entrance and waiting area.  Non-compliance with the law is punishable by thousands of dollars of penalties.

 

The Second Circuit granted ACLJ’s motion, which means that their clients will not need to comply with the law while the appeal moves to the Supreme Court in the coming months.  This is a significant win because the law violates the clients’ constitutional 1st Amendment right to advertise their services for the reasons set forth by the trial court and Judge Wesley.

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel