Take Action Now to Show Support for Pregnancy Help Centers Under Attack

Our pregnancy help centers face challenges and opposition every day. Yet every day the staff and volunteers of these centers work tirelessly to serve women in their communities because they believe that every woman deserves to be loved and supported during an unexpected pregnancy.

So why is it that lawmakers would continually attack the good work of our pregnancy help centers with unconstitutional legislation?

The latest attack comes from the city of San Francisco. This week the Board of Supervisors gave initial approval to pass an ordinance that would "protect consumers of pregnancy-related services by prohibiting limited-service pregnancy centers from knowingly disseminating false or misleading advertising information about the services they provide," according to Supervisor Malia Cohen, who has championed this legislation. However, no evidence of pregnancy centers using deceptive advertising has been presented to support her erroneous claims.

In other words, the city of San Francisco seeks to single out life-affirming pregnancy help centers by regulating advertising and restricting freedom of speech. Other organizations are exempt. If the proposed ordinance is passed into law, it will directly violate the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.

Judges in New York City, NY, Baltimore and Montgomery County, MD, have prevented enforcement of similar ordinances due to their unconstitutional nature.

The last thing a pregnancy help center should have to fear is their constitutional rights being violated. Not when they have life-saving work to do. Yet our centers are being forced to defend themselves. This month, four pregnancy help centers have brought a lawsuit against the city of Austin, TX, for blatantly violating their freedom of speech and freedom of religion.

Last April, Austin, TX, passed a law requiring pregnancy centers to post an 8.5" x 11" entrance sign stating that they do not provide or refer for abortions. Those that violate the ordinance can be charged with a misdemeanor, and punished with fines of up to $450. The ordinance "is designed to criminally punish the leadership and volunteer board members of pregnancy centers for no other reason than their moral opposition to abortion," said an executive director in Austin.

It is time for those who support the good work of pregnancy help centers to stand with them boldly. We are asking that each of you take action and sign Heartbeat's petition to defend and protect our pregnancy centers around the country. The petition, along with your signature, will be delivered to your Congressional Representative. Let your voice be heard. Do not allow these centers to face this battle on their own.

Heartbeat is committed to defending pregnancy help centers through our Representation and Defense Initiative. Find out more about this initiative and how you can stand up for the rights of pregnancy centers through Heartbeat International by clicking here. Also be sure to find out more about Heartbeat's exciting Babies Go to Congress® event.

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