by Jorge Gomez • 2 minutes
In Georgia, the City of Columbus won’t allow local resident James Anthony to share life-affirming messages to women near the Columbus Women’s Health Organization.
First Liberty sent a letter to the city on Thursday demanding that it allow James to share his message. Our client believes that life begins at conception, and that all human life has God-given worth and dignity. He feels compelled by these beliefs to advocate publicly on behalf of the unborn.
James often goes to the abortion center to start conversations and encourage people to choose life, telling them about alternatives to terminating a pregnancy. He uses amplification to communicate his message in a conversational tone, always obtaining an approved registration statement and in full compliance with the city’s sound ordinance.
When police were called to the location on one occasion, he was told to stop sharing his messages. “You can’t say these things,” the officers told James.
Later, the chief of police told him they would no longer grant amplification permits for his life affirming speech.
Our letter makes clear that public speech in a public place is a constitutionally protected right.
“The First Amendment grants all Americans the right to express their point of view, religious or secular, perhaps no more so than on a public sidewalk,” said Nate Kellum, Senior Counsel for First Liberty. “No one should be barred from or criminally punished for personally and compassionately telling someone they are cared for and that there are options other than abortion.”
Religious freedom and free speech become meaningless when the state disfavors or censors Americans who express a message that’s informed by their religious beliefs. The freedom of expression so deeply cherished in America cannot flourish if the government has the power to silence speech it doesn’t like.
No one in our country should be censored for sharing their faith or expressing their convictions. The city needs to do what’s right, respect the First Amendment’s protections for religious speech and provide assurance that it will allow James to express himself freely.
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