Care Net, a national non-profit ministry supporting one of the largest networks of pregnancy centers in the United States, filed an amicus brief to support National Institute of Family and Life Advocates in that case. In the brief, Care Net's attorneys argue it is directly impacted by, and deeply concerned about, California's decision to force pregnancy centers to become spokespersons for the abortion industry.

In a press release announcing the filing, Care Net officials state:

The amicus brief clearly lays out the reasons the Reproductive FACT Act creates compelled-speech regulations that must be reversed. The regulations force pregnancy centers to promote an idea—abortion —that they believe puts their clients at risk; and the regulations force pregnancy centers to engage in unnecessary speech that dilutes the centers' own communications and messages. Such regulations would be akin to a state requiring Alcoholics Anonymous, whose mission is to encourage those it serves to abstain from drinking, to provide listings of nearby bars and liquor stores.

Additionally, the compelled-speech regulations also violate the Free Exercise Clause, which protects religiously-motivated groups and individuals from being singled out and targeted by the government. Given that the Reproductive FACT Act's scope is defined to apply only to facilities "whose primary purpose is providing pregnancy-related services," it is clear that California targeted religion and religious practices. For example, places such as hospitals that provide non-pregnancy-related services are exempt from the law even though they also offer the same pregnancy-related services that pro-life pregnancy centers do. Lukimi Babalu Aye v. City of Hialeah prohibits such religious targeting.

Finally, pro-choice activists should be against these regulations, too. If the government can take sides on a political debate and force people or organizations to express ideas that they disagree with or find morally objectionable, then it could force abortion clinics to post signs informing pregnant mothers that the clinic does not provide live-birth deliveries or support for mothers choosing to continue their pregnancies, directing these women to nearby pregnancy resource centers where they could reconsider their decision. Such regulations must be invalidated by the Supreme Court.

In conclusion, the brief argues that the Supreme Court should grant the petition, reverse the Ninth Circuit, and invalidate California's compelled-speech regulations because they "fail to respect a [pregnancy resource center's] right not to utter a state-sponsored message that offends its core moral and religious principles" (Greater Baltimore Center for Pregnancy Concerns, Inc. v. Mayor and City Council of Baltimore), and because they violate the Free Exercise Clause (Lukimi Babalu Aye v. City of Hialeah).

"Clearly, this law is promoted by pro-choice activists and those in the abortion industry to silence any voices that oppose their agenda," Care Net CEO Roland C. Warren said. "Sadly, this unconstitutional violation of free speech and religious freedom was signed into law and upheld by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. We support NIFLA's petition to reverse this decision in the Supreme Court, allowing pregnancy centers and other life-affirming organizations to continue their life-saving work without state interference."

Charisma News

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

A Prayer Guide for Halloween from Wanda Alger

Appeal to Heaven: Members of Congress Join to Pray for Nation

5 Things to Know About the Virginia Governor's Race

Lawmakers Move to Impeach Judge Boasberg for Rubber-Stamping Jack Smith's Partisan Surveillance

Bombshell Texts Reveal LA Fire Brass Knew Fire That Burned Down Palisades Wasn't Out

Wow: According to Feds Over 7,200 Truck Drivers Were Removed from US Highways after Failing English Test

The Government Shutdown Exposed the Biggest Lie in Education

Trump Tells Republicans to Use 'Nuclear Option' to End Democrat Filibuster That Caused the Shutdown

FBI Thwarts 'Potential Halloween Weekend Terrorist Attack' in Michigan

Trump Names Nigeria 'Country of Particular Concern' in Order to Help Stop the 'Slaughter' of Christians

Shroud of Turin Skeptic Now Says It's Real 'Evidence to... the Resurrection of Jesus'

Teacher Rebuked for Constitution Day Lesson on Free Speech

Governor DeSantis Announces Special Partnership with TPUSA Meant to Protect Club America Chapters in Florida

Don't Miss This: Erika Kirk's Inspiring Speech to Students at the University of Mississippi

Illegal Border Crossings in September Historically Low

Every Shutdown in Last 35 Years Was Ended by a Continuing Resolution, Like the One Dems Keep Rejecting

Prior to Meeting with China's Xi Jinping, President Trump Announced Policy Change in US Nuclear Weapons Testing

'We Have a Deal': President Trump's 'Amazing' Meeting with China's Xi Jinping

US Missionary Abducted by Suspected Jihadists: 'Pray for His Protection'

State Senator to Call on Trump to Fight Christian Persecution