ADF asks 9th Circuit to preserve freedom for pro-life pregnancy centers

The following quote may be attributed to Alliance Defending Freedom Senior Counsel Matt Bowman regarding a rehearing petition Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys filed Friday in National Institute of Family and Life Advocates v. Harris:

“All Americans should be free to speak or not to speak without being threatened by the government. But California law unjustly forces pro-life pregnancy centers to promote abortion under the threat of severe punishment if they don’t comply. Unfortunately, a 9th Circuit panel ignored this clear violation of constitutionally protected freedom and issued a decision that conflicts with Supreme Court precedent and rulings by federal courts across the country. Alliance Defending Freedom has asked the full 9th Circuit to rehear this case and to preserve freedom for pro-life pregnancy centers, which offer real hope and help to women and girls, something the abortion industry does not.”

National Institute of Family and Life Advocates President Thomas Glessner added the following:

“The Ninth Circuit’s unjust decision stands apart from other rulings across the nation in favor of pro-life centers. Those decisions rightly acknowledged the liberty of pro-life pregnancy resource centers and rejected the abortion industry's state-sanctioned agenda.”

ADF-allied attorney Dean R. Broyles of The National Center for Law and Policy is co-counsel in the lawsuit on behalf of NIFLA and the two pregnancy centers in the lawsuit.