Jackson, Mississippi — November 12, 2020. Today, the Center for Religious Expression (CRE) received news of Court ruling in favor of Philip “Flip” Benham, granting his motion for preliminary injunction, ensuring that he can share the love of Jesus Christ and the truth about abortion and its alternatives on public ways in front of Jackson Women’s Health Organization (JWHO) – the last remaining abortion clinic in the State of Mississippi – before the Court enters a final ruling in this matter.
Last year, the City of Jackson passed an onerous ordinance suppressing every conceivable form of pro-life speech outside of JWHO. The law:
1. Bans individuals from standing near the parking lot and other entrances where they can offer literature and engage in friendly conversation.
2. Bars anyone from approaching anyone else anywhere within 100 feet of the clinic to discuss pro-life views.
3. It further precludes pro-life minded people from elevating their voice or using an amplifier to share their message over the distance the other two restrictions create.
The convergence of these three restrictions is unprecedented in its breadth and impact on pro-life views, prompting Benham’s legal challenge and motion.
In granting the motion for preliminary injunction, precluding Jackson from enforcing its ordinance while this case is still pending, Judge Wingate, District Court judge for the Southern District of Mississippi, concluded that the overlapping restrictions did not pass constitutional muster.
“Public sidewalks and streets are where we as citizens should be free to lift up our voice about injustices in society,“ said CRE Chief Counsel Nate Kellum. “Jackson cannot censor pro-life voices, especially since they speak for the voiceless.”
Center for Religious Expression is a servant-oriented, non-profit 501(c)(3) Christian legal organization dedicated to the glory of God and the religious freedom of His people. For more information, visit http://www.crelaw.org.
