“Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.” – Proverbs 31:9
First Choice Women’s Resource Centers are Christian-based crisis pregnancy centers that operate at five locations throughout New Jersey. First Choice is a ministry that provides resources to expectant mothers, such as parenting classes, free ultrasounds, baby clothes, and more, to its community.
Sadly, in 2023, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin aggressively targeted First Choice by issuing the ministry a predatory subpoena asking for it to provide sensitive information on many of its donors, such as their names, phone numbers, addresses, and places of employment. Furthermore, the subpoena requested up to 10 years of internal confidential documents.
So, why is it that the New Jersey Attorney General is targeting First Choice in this malicious way? According to the Attorney General, it is to investigate whether these facilities “engage in deceptive practices.” The real reason he is targeting First Choice is simply due to the ministry’s pro-life views and convictions.
To fight the unfounded attack from the NJ Attorney General, First Choice filed a lawsuit against Platkin, arguing that the subpoena violated its rights to free speech and free association under the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment. Lower courts dismissed the lawsuit, which triggered First Choice to appeal to the United States Supreme Court.
Days ago, thankfully, the High Court heard oral arguments pertaining to this case, First Choice Women’s Resource Centers v. Platkin, and encouragingly, the majority of the nine justices seemed positioned to side with First Choice in this case. The Supreme Court is expected to rule on this by the end of June.
LET US PRAY…
Father, we praise You that the Supreme Court seems well positioned to side with First Choice in this important case. Lord, we pray for the High Court to rule in overwhelming favor of First Choice. Father, please strengthen the ministry of First Choice to continue forward in their much-needed work of providing crucial resources to expectant mothers during this time of unfounded attacks. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.