OPINION:
The U.S. Supreme Court is currently considering a case, the National Institute of Family Life Advocates (NIFLA) v. Becerra. From all indications, virtually none of the American public is aware of this vitally important case.
California has imposed a law upon it residents that dictates that all pro-life anti-abortion organizations and agencies are required to post information in their place of operations that informs all customers — especially the poor, that abortion services are available with financial assistance — even free in some cases. These notices are required to list a state-sponsored toll-free phone number as well.
What this law does is make it mandatory that anti-abortion pro-life operatives participate in the very behavior they are fighting and oppose: abortion.
The question is simple and straightforward. Does such a law violate the First Amendment rights of of it targets? While the outcome is uncertain, the Court vote is likely to follow party lines. As to be expected, the U.S. 9th Circuit Appeals Court in California voted to uphold this issue unanimously.
Surely even the jurist who tends to favor such a law would agree that for the Supreme Court to uphold this law would be an encroachment of our First Amendments rights and would further whittle away at our sacred constitutional freedoms.
JAMES W. ANDERSON
Talladega, Ala.
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