Victory for Pregnancy Resource Centers in Easthampton!

Since the demise of Roe v. Wade, MA state and local elected officials and activist groups have declared war on pro-life pregnancy resource centers (PRCs) that help women and babies in need. For the past year, MFI has been working to protect Bethlehem House, a PRC located in Easthampton. The pro-life organization has endured targeted attacks by their local officials and vandalism from pro-abortion activists. The latest attack on Bethlehem House came from the Easthampton City Council with its proposal of a discriminatory and unconstitutional ordinance meant to silence their speech and target them for unfair treatment. 

Last month, MFI worked alongside local advocates to rally a strong defense in support of the Bethlehem House when the ordinance was being taken up for a final vote at a City Council meeting. A large crowd of over 100 people attended the meeting. And even though most of the testimonies presented were in defense of PRCs and the majority of the standing-room-only crowd was pro-life, the City Council shockingly, still voted six to one to pass the ordinance. 

The next day, however, the mayor, who identifies herself as pro-abortion, vetoed the ordinance –using her veto power for the first time since being elected in 2017. This decision was likely due to a letter MFI sent to the City Council and an email to the mayor warning the City that they may be opening themselves up to a lawsuit over the unnecessary and biased ordinance. 

After the mayor’s veto, the City Council had thirty days to override it. To overcome the veto, the same six councilors who voted for the ordinance needed to cast the same vote in favor of the ordinance. Just one councilor needed to defect to maintain the favorable veto. 

Amazingly, this past Wednesday one councilor, Homar Gomez, the President of the City Council did defect maintaining the mayor’s veto. We are grateful for this meaningful and important victory!

MFI was first in the fight protecting PRCs in Easthampton over a year ago. If it were not for our local advocacy, and the help of our national ally, First Liberty, this ordinance would have passed last year and PRCs like Bethlehem House would have been left to be defamed, vandalized, and fined. These charitable organizations may have eventually shut down, leaving women in crisis without any support.  

If we can win in Easthampton, we can win anywhere! We are confident that this hard-won victory will inspire pro-life advocates to support the mission of Bethlehem House and other PRCs across the state. Truly, what the Easthampton City Council meant for evil, the Lord used for good. Through our efforts and the favor of the Lord, MFI was able to build an incredible coalition with our like-minded allies in the Easthampton region, including several attorneys. Together, we are ready to face future fights that threaten life and liberty.  

Thank you for your continued support that makes our mission possible. Please consider a financial gift today to help us win more victories for life in MA.

Share:

More Posts

Blackstone-Millville Scales Back Graphic Sex Ed After Parent Pushback

If you follow the Massachusetts Informed Parents Substack, you may recall our February report exposing the graphic and age-inappropriate sex ed curriculum adopted by the Blackstone-Millville Regional School District (BMRSD). This controversial curriculum, approved by a split vote of the school committee in December, introduced Comprehensive Sexuality Education as early as 2nd grade

Sign up to testify in support of the Protect Female Athletes Bill!

We need your help to protect girls’ sports in Massachusetts! Sign up to testify in support of H.584/S.350, An Act to ensure fairness and safety in school sports. The Joint Committee on Education is holding a public hearing on Tuesday, May 6th at 1 PM in Hearing Room B-2 at the State House in Boston.There is an option to testify virtually or in

Defending Life in Court: A Crucial Hearing for Pregnancy Resource Centers on May 8th

In August 2024, the Massachusetts Liberty Legal Center (MLLC), in partnership with the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), filed a federal lawsuit against the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This case challenges the state’s unconstitutional and ideologically motivated campaign to discredit, target, and silence pro-life pregnancy resource centers. Pregnancy resource centers, like our client, Your Options Medical,

MA Parents Sound the Alarm, Nation Takes Notice

Back in February, we told you about two new tools parents could use to push back against indoctrination and protect girls’ sports and spaces in Massachusetts public schools. Many concerned Bay State parents have already used the Massachusetts Liberty Legal Center’s Title IX Complaint Template and the Department of Education’s End