March 20, 2018
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in National Institute of Family and Life Advocates v. Becerra. In NIFLA v. Becerra, the question being argued is whether the state of California can force licensed pro-life pregnancy care centers to advertise for state-sponsored abortions and advise where to get them, and whether unlicensed centers can be forced to put up a notice saying they are unlicensed.
Family Research Council President Tony Perkins offered the following remarks at the rally in front of the Court during the oral arguments :
"Well, happy spring! Thank you for being here today. Thank you for braving the weather. Thank you for standing for life and standing for the freedom of speech which is central in this country.
"I've had the privilege of serving on the board of a care pregnancy center for over twenty years. I have traveled the country as a part of helping these organizations raise their money that they get from Americans, God fearing Americans, who just embrace life and their neighbor.
"When you look across the country, we have about 2,500 of these care pregnancy centers, almost exclusively funded by individuals like you. Their average budget is about $125,000 a year. Let me tell you what this is designed to do and what California is doing and why I'm so grateful for NIFLA fighting it, and ADF leading the charge legally. This is designed to shut down these care pregnancy centers. The first fine is $500, the second a $1,000 a day. You can do the math, it doesn't take long on a budget of $125,000 to shut down these care pregnancy centers. And guess what's happening in these care pregnancy centers -- they're opening a window to life to these mothers through technology. And guess what's happening? They're choosing life.
"America is becoming a predominantly pro-life country again because of these clinics. A message of hope, a message of life, and that scares some, who are afraid of life. We're not afraid of life, we embrace life.
"And so thank you for being here, thank you for supporting the work of these care pregnancy centers across America. And let me challenge those across the nation that are tracking this -- it's time we double our efforts for life. If you're giving $500 a year, give a $1000. If you're volunteering a day a week, give two days a week. Let's step up our efforts and show that we are committed to the issue of life.
"We will not back down, and we will not be silent. We will not go away until America once again respects the sanctity of human life because every, every life, every life is created in the image of God and therefore worthy of respect. So we embrace that life. Thank you for embracing that life. Thank you for being here today. God bless you and may God once again bless this nation as a pro-life nation," Perkins concluded.
To watch his full speech, please see: https://youtu.be/M3KzUnU6vvs
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