Supreme Court Delivers Major Victory to Pro-Life Group (Video)
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Worthy News)– The Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision, gave an major victory to a pro-life group that sought to challenge an Ohio law that bans campaign statements deemed to be false. The court ruled that the Susan B. Anthony List (SBA List) can proceed with a lawsuit challenging that Ohio Election officials violated SBA List’s First Amendment Rights.
In 2010, SBA List, a pro-life organization, campaigned against Democrat Steve Driehaus by buying advertising space on billboards claiming Driehaus supported taxpayer funding of abortions because he voted for Obamacare.
SBA List claimed the health care law opens the door for government funding of abortions.
Driehaus then filed a complaint with the Ohio Election Commission who found in favor of the Democrat, who then ordered the billboards to be taken down.
“The threat of future enforcement of the false statement statute is substantial,” declared the unanimous majority opinion of Justice Clarence Thomas.
“The specter of enforcement is so substantial that the owner of the billboard refused to display SBA’s message after receiving a letter threatening Commission proceedings. On these facts, the prospect of future enforcement is far from imaginary or speculative,'” the Supreme Court opinion said.
In response to the Supreme Court decision, the Pacific Justice Institute said, “Today’s ruling is not only a terrific victory for the pro-life movement, but also to everyone who values free speech. You see, in this case, the government attempted to use threats and intimidation to violate the free speech rights of others. But in addition, the government also attempted to deny these same individuals the ability to have their rights vindicated in a court of law. Fortunately, the Supreme Court saw through these government tactics, and in so doing, sent a strong message on behalf of anyone in the future facing similar government intimidation.”