CLI signs on to Advancing American Freedom Amicus Brief in First Choice Women’s Resource Centers, Inc. v. Platkin

The Charlotte Lozier Institute (CLI) recently joined Advancing American Freedom (AAF) and numerous other pro-life organizations in submitting an amicus brief to the Supreme Court in the case First Choice Women’s Resource Centers, Inc. v. Platkin. In the brief, CLI, AAF, and other amicus curiae argue in support of the First Amendment rights of New Jersey pregnancy center network First Choice Women’s Resource Centers, and against NJ Attorney General Matthew Platkin’s encroachment on those rights.

From the brief:

The American Constitution is designed to effectuate the purpose of government: protecting the liberty of the people. That liberty depends on the rule of law which is undermined when a government official uses his power to advance his political agenda at any cost. This case is an instance of such disregard for the rule of law in New Jersey. Rather than enforcing the law, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin is using his office to advance a pro-abortion agenda. This includes threatening the ability of crisis pregnancy centers specifically, and pro-life organizations generally, to engage in the exercise of their rights to free speech and free association … In this case, Mr. Platkin has demanded that First Choice Women’s Resource Centers (hereinafter “First Choice”) disclose “years of sensitive internal information—including donor information about nearly 5,000 contributions.” … Given Mr. Platkin’s record of pro-abortion and anti-pro-life pregnancy center advocacy while in office, this intimidation tactic is not surprising. … Because even the threat of donor disclosure can chill the speech and associational rights of both donors and their beneficiaries, Mr. Platkin’s actions in this case are inconsistent with the First Amendment’s protection of free speech and free association. Federal courts must be able to review State action that is intended to harm constitutionally protected interests even where it does not do so directly. This Court should rule for Petitioners.

To see the full brief, click the ‘Print/Download’ button above.