The pro-life organization Heartbeat International will defend abortion pill reversal (APR) at two key court cases on April 15 in courts held on opposite coasts.
A press release from Heartbeat International states that the case People v. Heartbeat International, et al. will take place in California. The case began in 2023, when California Attorney General Rob Bonta sued the organization for advertising that abortion pill reversal is safe and effective. The case is at the summary judgment stage, the release explained, meaning the court will decide whether or not the case will be resolved without a trial.
The hearing for Heartbeat International, et al. v. James will take place in New York. The suit was brought by Heartbeat International against New York Attorney General Letitia James, alleging “egregious violations of fundamental rights, including freedom of speech, free exercise of religion, equal protection under the law, and civil rights violations.”
Heartbeat International runs the Abortion Pill Rescue Network, a national hotline that helps women reverse chemical abortions by prescribing progesterone.
Jor-El Godsey, president of Heartbeat International, said that women deserve access to information about abortion pill reversals.
“Women deserve the freedom to make fully informed decisions about their pregnancies, including the opportunity to reverse a chemical abortion if they regret starting it,” he said. “We will always champion her right to continue her pregnancy and stand for the truth that no woman should be forced to complete an abortion she no longer wants.”
Danielle White, general counsel for Heartbeat International, stated that the lawsuits ultimately come down to free speech.
“These cases go to the core of the First Amendment,” she said. “The government cannot silence our speech simply because it disfavors our viewpoint. Women have a right to hear accurate information about their options, and we will continue to defend that right.”