“Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.” – Proverbs 31:9
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Throughout New Jersey, First Choice Women’s Resource Centers provide needed resources to expectant mothers, such as parenting classes, free ultrasounds, baby clothes, and more. The Christian-based crisis pregnancy centers operate at five locations throughout the Garden State.
This wonderful ministry, unfortunately, came under attack in 2023. New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin ridiculously issued a predatory subpoena asking it to provide information on many of its donors. This included sensitive information, such as their names, phone numbers, addresses, and places of employment. The subpoena also asked for more than a decade of internal confidential documents.
The New Jersey Attorney General was maliciously targeting First Choice due to the ministry’s pro-life views and convictions. He disguised this reason by claiming the investigation was needed to see if the ministry’s facilities “engage in deceptive practices.” To defend itself from this unfounded attack, First Choice filed a lawsuit against the New Jersey Attorney General, arguing that the subpoena violated its rights to free speech and free association under the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment.
The lawsuit was initially dismissed by lower courts, forcing First Choice to appeal to the United States Supreme Court. Thankfully, the High Court agreed to hear the oral arguments for the case, First Choice Women’s Resource Centers v. Platkin.
Praise be to God, just a few days ago, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously that First Choice may pursue a preliminary injunction against Platkin’s subpoena in federal court. The decision reaffirms that states cannot force or threaten to force faith-based groups to reveal sensitive information about their donor base. This ruling is a big win for pregnancy resource centers and for faith-based groups. It allows Americans to freely donate to causes and ministries that they believe in without the fear of being harassed.
LET US PRAY…
Father, we praise You for this unanimous decision from the United States Supreme Court that protects the rights of First Choice. Lord, strengthen First Choice to continue to carry out its highly important initiative of providing much-needed resources for expectant mothers. Father, please empower the Supreme Court to judge righteously in other highly important cases as they did in this one. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.