The Supreme Court has decided in favor of crisis pregnancy centers in NILFA v. Becerra by a tight vote of 5-4. Justice Clarence Thomas wrote the opinion, explaining that the California law forcing pro-life centers to advertise taxpayer-funded abortion violates the First Amendment.
The California Reproductive Freedom, Accountability, Comprehensive Care, and Transparency Act required licensed pregnancy centers to notify women that California provides free or low-cost services, including abortions. That mandate, Thomas wrote, "likely violates the First Amendment" and "unduly burdens protected speech."
Pro-life groups and activists are celebrating that pregnancy centers will no longer have to "advertise" for the abortion lobby.
BREAKING: In #NIFLA v. Becerra, the U.S. Supreme Court has turned back attempt by the State of California to force #ProLife pregnancy centers to advertise for the #abortion industry. #GiveFreeSpeechLife #SCOTUS
— FPA of New Mexico (@FPAofNM) June 26, 2018
Pro-abortion groups, however, are outraged.
BREAKING: SCOTUS just ruled that unlicensed fake women’s health centers are free to dress up as doctors & deliberately lie to women about their #reprohealth. We know that women deserve the truth—& we won’t stop fighting. #EndTheLies #ExposeFakeClinics #NIFLAvBecerra pic.twitter.com/nvrZclVVch
— NARAL (@NARAL) June 26, 2018
There are thousands of crisis pregnancy centers in the U.S., offering free or low-cost services, medical care and resources to women.
This post has been updated.