MISSOULA, Montana, June 3, 2021 (LifeSiteNews) — A peaceful pro-life advocate outside an abortion center in Montana has been vindicated following erroneous and unconstitutional charges made by a City of Missoula law enforcement officer. The charges against Marilyn Hatch were dismissed after Thomas More Society attorneys sent a demand letter to the Senior Deputy City Attorney of Missoula pointing out that the ordinance on which the charges were based is unconstitutional.
“All people have the right to peacefully give their opinions about the dignity of unborn human life outside abortion facilities. The City of Missoula’s decision to criminally charge Mrs. Hatch for engaging in speech protected by the First Amendment was itself unconstitutional,” declared Thomas More Society Senior Counsel Matt Heffron.
“We have to be vigilant in fighting for these rights, each and every time they are violated,” he said. “That’s what the Thomas More Society is here for.”
Hatch regularly participated in prayer and peaceful counseling outside of the Blue Mountain abortion clinic in Missoula, offering information about life-affirming alternatives to women seeking abortion. A City of Missoula police officer cited her for obstructing access to the clinic, but the Thomas More Society intervened on her behalf, insisting that
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