BUFFALO, N.Y. — A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction preventing New York Attorney General Letitia James from censoring two pro-life pregnancy help organizations, allowing them to continue sharing information about Abortion Pill Reversal while their lawsuit proceeds.
The ruling, made on September 24, 2024, protects Summit Life Outreach Center and The Evergreen Association, which were represented by attorneys from the Thomas More Society. The organizations filed a federal lawsuit in August, alleging that James’ threats of prosecution and intimidation against pregnancy help organizations violated their First and Fourteenth Amendment rights.
The lawsuit claims that James’ actions unconstitutionally suppressed speech regarding the safety and efficacy of Abortion Pill Reversal, a treatment that proponents say can reverse the effects of the first abortion pill if a woman changes her mind.
The court’s order follows a related ruling in National Institute of Family and Life Advocates v. James, which also dealt with similar free speech issues. As a result, Summit and Evergreen are now permitted to continue promoting Abortion Pill Reversal without fear of legal repercussions.
“This injunction marks a critical victory for New York’s pregnancy help organizations,” said Peter Breen, Executive Vice President and Head of Litigation at the Thomas More Society. “These small nonprofits, which exist to compassionately serve women and offer them alternatives to abortion, deserve to have their speech elevated—not chilled.”
Barbara Bidak, Executive Director of Summit Life Outreach Center, expressed her satisfaction with the ruling. “We are incredibly pleased a federal judge has now made clear that Attorney General Letitia James’ legal attacks on our state’s pro-life ministries unconstitutionally chill our First Amendment right to share the lifesaving message of Abortion Pill Reversal.”
The case continues in federal court as the Thomas More Society also represents other New York pro-life organizations in a separate state case, where they are facing similar legal challenges from Attorney General James.
