Supreme Court Hears NOW v. Scheidler

December 4, 2002

Today NOW presents oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court in NOW v. Scheidler, the pivotal case that won the first-ever nationwide injunction against anti-abortion clinic violence.

NOW President Kim Gandy speaks to the press after the oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court in NOW v. Scheidler. Photo by Lisa Bennett.

"NOW filed this suit to protect women and clinic staff from a violent campaign to close abortion clinics nationwide," said National Organization for Women (NOW) President Kim Gandy. "This determined effort was carried out by the Pro-Life Action Network, its leader Joe Scheidler, Operation Rescue and many others."

The Court will review the district court's issuance of an injunction forbidding Scheidler and the other defendants from further violations of the Racketeer-Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. Despite news stories suggesting otherwise, the Court specifically declined to review the appellate court's unanimous decision that campaigns of fear, force and violence against clinics and patients are not protected by the First Amendment.

"Since the nationwide injunction we won in NOW v. Scheidler was issued in July 1999, there has been virtually no violence at abortion clinic protests," Gandy said. "Protesters have continued their picketing, shouting, so-called sidewalk counseling and even abusive name-calling—but without the violence. Stopping the violence was precisely our goal in this case."

"While Fay Clayton, the lead attorney in NOW v. Scheidler, presents our case to the Supreme Court, reproductive rights activists will be rallying outside," Gandy said. "NOW's rally outside the Court will illustrate peaceful demonstration—in stark contrast to the violent tactics of Scheidler and Operation Rescue."

###

Sign up to receive press releases by email.