Federal court victory for Baltimore crisis pregnancy centers
October 10, 2016
A federal district court has ruled that Baltimore’s mayor and city council infringed upon constitutional free speech rights in compelling crisis pregnancy centers to post signs stating that they “do not provide or make referral for abortion or birth control services.”
In 2011, the same judge ruled against the 2009 ordinance, and in 2012, a three-judge federal appellate panel upheld the decision. However, the full federal appellate court eventually sent the case back to the district court, ruling it had acted too quickly.
“This Court has once again undertaken a careful and thorough review of Baltimore City’s unfair ordinance and properly concluded that it would stifle the religious liberty and free speech of pro-life pregnancy centers,” Archbishop William Lori said in a statement.
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Further information:
- Court rules in favor of Archdiocese of Baltimore on free-speech case (The Catholic Review)
- Federal court rules in favor of pregnancy resource centers, free speech (Alliance Defending Freedom)
- Disclaimer Requirement Violates Pregnancy Center's Free Speech Rights (Religion Clause)
- Federal court victories for Maryland crisis pregnancy centers (CWN, 7/6/12)
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