On March 10, 2021 US Court of Appeals (Second Circuit) gave a decision in a case brought by New York’s Attorney General against pro-life sidewalk counselors/protestors in Queens. The full decision by the Court is here, and Mr. Ed Mechmann, Director of Public Policy for the Archdiocese of New York, wrote a memo on the ruling. As Mr. Mechmann makes clear, this precedent-setting decision applies to federal, state and local “clinic access” laws, and holds sidewalk counselors to very rigorous standards. Conduct outside clinics which seems inconsequential, even accidental, may be held to be a violation. Please take a moment to read through this helpful memo!

Clinic_Access_Second_Circuit_Memo