VICTORY: Criminal charges Against Pro-Life Ministry Dropped!
We are thrilled to announce that the baseless criminal charge against Cheri Britt, who was cited by police for exercising her free speech and ministering to women on a public sidewalk near Planned Parenthood, has been dropped!
Last month we told you about how Cheri Britt, the Director of Hope 4 Life, was issued a criminal citation by Virginia Beach police officers after receiving a complaint from Planned Parenthood for simply ministering to women entering the facility. Britt was standing on a public sidewalk near her mobile ultrasound RV—where she offers women free ultrasounds and baby supplies – just as she has done most days for years.
The law enforcement officials claimed that Britt was in violation of Governor Northam’s Executive Order 55, implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. But not only did Britt have many reasons within the Executive Order to be there, she was exercising social distancing and there were fewer than 10 people gathered together at the time outside with her.
Appalled by this gross overreach, The Family Foundation through its newly formed litigation arm, the Founding Freedoms Law Center, joined with the National Legal Foundation to defend Britt and her constitutional rights. The attorneys were able to get the local officials to drop the charge against Britt altogether before going to trial. We are grateful to the City Attorney’s office in Virginia Beach for exercising the wisdom to drop the criminal charge.
Tragically, Britt’s case is one of a string of outrageous overreaches by local and state officials during this coronavirus pandemic that have seriously threatened religious and free speech rights, including David Benham, who was arrested for praying in front of an abortion clinic while maintaining proper social-distancing.
YOU’LL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR HIM TELL HIS STORY ON MONDAY, JUNE 1ST, DURING OUR SIMULCAST EVENT “REDEEMING THE CRISIS” BY REGISTERING HERE. (WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW.)
In the video, you will see David Benham being respectful and orderly towards the police officers. For those police officers that are having to enforce Governor Northam’s Executive Orders in Virginia during these challenging times, we must also demonstrate that same respectful behavior. But we should at least be able to expect that they will properly apply the laws in a way that does not target peaceful pro-life counselors.
Yesterday’s report that the charges against Cheri Britt were dropped is welcomed news at a time when the abortion industry has received favorable treatment over pro-life advocates during this COVID-19 pandemic, and it’s a perfect illustration of how important it is for law enforcement to fully understand the law.
While there is so much to be thankful for, from the charges being dropped to The First Freedoms Law Center’s first client, there’s still more work to be done to protect the religious and free speech of law-abiding people.
