Coalition Life v. Carbondale

July 16, 2024 – St. Louis, MO – We at Coalition Life, the leading professional pro-life sidewalk counseling organization, are taking a significant stand to defend the First Amendment rights of sidewalk counselors across the country. With the help of the Thomas More Society and former U.S. Solicitor General Paul Clement, we have filed a Petition for Writ of Certiorari in Coalition Life v. City of Carbondale. This case challenges the restrictions imposed by “bubble zone” laws that limit our ability to offer compassionate support to women outside abortion facilities.

In 2023, Carbondale, Illinois, enacted a “bubble zone” law designed to silence pro-life voices on public sidewalks. This ordinance is similar to the one upheld in Hill v. Colorado, a decision that has been a thorn in our side for years. Our appeal to the Supreme Court is about reclaiming our constitutional right to free speech and ensuring that we can continue our mission of supporting women in their hour of need.

“For nearly a quarter of a century, sidewalk counselors like those who work with us have been forced to live with ‘an entirely separate abridged edition of the First Amendment’ when it comes to the kind of peaceful conversational speech outside an abortion facility in which they wish to engage,” writes Paul Clement. “The question for this Court thus is not so much whether as when Hill should be overruled. The time is now.”

Carbondale has rapidly transformed into an abortion hub for the Midwest, with three abortion facilities opening in quick succession. We have stepped up our efforts in the city, but the “bubble zone” ordinance has made it challenging to provide the life-affirming support that is our hallmark. Despite these obstacles, our commitment to being there for women remains unwavering.

“Abortion doesn’t happen in the White House or the courts—it happens in our neighborhoods,” said Brian Westbrook, Executive Director and Founder of Coalition Life. “That’s where we meet women, offering them the support and options they need to choose life.”

Our Petition for Writ of Certiorari seeks to overturn Hill v. Colorado, a decision criticized for distorting First Amendment principles. The Supreme Court’s recent rulings suggest that the time is right to revisit this precedent and restore free speech rights for pro-life advocates.

“This fight won’t be over until Hill is overturned,” added Westbrook. “The ‘bubble zone’ ordinance is just another attempt to trample on our rights, but we are determined to see this through.”

About Coalition Life
Coalition Life is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization with a Mission of ENDING Abortion… Peacefully and Prayerfully. Founded in St. Louis, Missouri in 2011 by Brian Westbrook as Coalition for Life St. Louis, the organization operates a pregnancy resource center in St. Louis, and provides sidewalk counseling at five sites in Illinois and Kansas. Coalition Life continues to grow as a national leader in the frontline effort to provide alternatives to abortion. Differentiated by its professional staff of sidewalk counselors and proven approach to reach women who desire options and resources, Coalition Life created and perfected “The St. Louis Method” of sidewalk counseling that has resulted in more than 4,200 turnarounds outside of abortion facilities and countless lives saved. For more information, visit CoalitionLife.com.