US Supreme Court Gives Unanimous Victory to Pro-Life Protesters
Scheidler/Operation Rescue Vindicated
Washington, DC — The United States Supreme Court issued an unanimous ruling today finally clearing pro-life protesters of a 20-year old suit brought by NOW under the Federal Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations (RICO) laws. Joseph Scheidler, a long-time pro-life activist from Chicago, took the lead in defending the case on behalf of over 20 defendants, including Operation Rescue.
In an historic third trip to the nation’s highest court, Justice Stephen Breyer issued the unanimous opinion clearly stating that the case is over and that pro-lifers may not be sued under RICO. This decision also puts an end to a nationwide injunction against the protesters.
“We are very excited to finally see this case put behind us once and for all,” said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman. “This is a victory not only for pro-lifers, who can now exercise their First Amendment rights to speak out about abortion without fear of a RICO suit, but it is also a victory for the women and babies who are entering our nation’s abortion mills, who now will have greater access to more information and practical assistance that can help them spare the lives of their pre-born children.”
“This is a victory that is a long time in coming, but whose arrival was never in doubt,” said Rev. Patrick Mahoney, Director of the Christian Defense Coalition. “Every American owes Joe Scheidler a debt of gratitude for fighting this battle over two decades to preserve freedoms for all Americans.”
February 28th, 2006 at 12:38 pm
It’s about time! Twenty years ago…Molly Yard was still alive…F.A.C.E had not been passed…so much has happened. I wonder if it would have made any difference had Scheidler not had the sympathy of other activist groups such as P.E.T.A. . . .in any case, it’s a great victory for first amendment rights, and a relief.
Joe Scheidler is certainly to be thanked, praised, and emmulated for his patience and determination -I once heard a music teacher say that they are the same thing- in this…
And NOW is certainly to be spanked, razed, and immolated (as an organization) for its efforts to revive Nazism in America.
Perhaps this is a good sign that we at last have a Supreme Court that knows justice from injustice, heads from holes in the ground, etc…I hope so; if it is, in fact, the case-well, that, too, has been a long time coming, and thanks for its coming are also due to the likes of Scheidler, with no thanks to the likes of NOW.
February 28th, 2006 at 5:22 pm
Today is the day the Lord hath made. Thanks to God and the Supreme Court for their faith based desision.
February 28th, 2006 at 5:34 pm
Thanks be to Almighty God for a just decision which
protects the right of pro-lifers to peacefully defend those unborn babies who have no rights (…yet).
May God bless Joe Schiedler and Tom Brecha, OR and all of those co-defendents for their faithful perseverance, as well as those who have continued to witness to life’s sacredness outside the mills.
We pray that all of those who celebrate this decision do so out in the streets, especially at the places that kill the unborn and lie to women. Let us all pray for a greater courage to rescue the unborn according to Jesus example: “No greater love has man than this- to lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)
+Servants of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Promoting respect for all human life through
non-violent direct intervention. solg3@catholicexchange.com
February 28th, 2006 at 7:27 pm
Hurray! As a sheet matter of law and constiutionality the Supreme Court got this one right! I’m so glad for Mr Scheidler and the PLAL
March 6th, 2006 at 12:55 pm
Congratulations from Ireland.
Here in Ireland we don’t have your abortion concerns - yet! But, hopefully, we’ll continue to be on our guard.
March 11th, 2006 at 10:49 pm
Praise God! Joe Scheidler, Tim Murphy and Andy Scholberg have been heroes for a long time. When my sister and I sat in the Federal Court in Judge David Corr’s courtroom, we couldn’t believe we were in America. Joe, Tim and Andy reminded us of the early Christians sitting before a pagan court. But we know Who wins in the end! Thank you Joe, Tim and Andy. Love in Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Pat
March 20th, 2006 at 10:25 am
Thank God for the victory in the Scheidler case. We lost so many good warriors because of the abuse of power using RICO and the Hobbs act against pro-lifers. I am being sued (along with one other defendant) under a nuisance case law for protesting. I believe they would use RICO and the Hobbs Act on us if it weren’t for the efforts of O.R., P.L.A.N., and the ACLJ to fight the pro abortion efforts to take away our First Amendment rights. “One Nation Under God”. A victory in Jesus’ name.
May 4th, 2007 at 11:31 am
Troy, Believe it or not, I just came across the many kind and thoughtful comments on your site, which were written last year following our victory in the U.S. Supreme Court. I hope it isn’t too late to thank all those good people who wrote these touching remarks. And to Feminists for Lilfe, the answer is “yes,” it helped a lot to have some 75 organizations and individuals who represent other causes, on our list of supporters. It helped because it showed the justices how important free speech is to our cause as well as to theirs. In fact it was clear at the oral hearings that this was a First Amendment case, and even the justices began arguing our cause when that was clarified. Only wrinkle is the unbelievable fact that Judge David Coar as of this writing still has not signed a release, so technically yours truly is still a Convicted Federal Racketeer. But we hope that any day now he will sign the release and have this nonsense over with once and for all. In the Lord of Life, Joe Scheidler, Pro-Life Action League egrouops and >l