humanlifereview.com
2026-09-18
New Jersey Governor Mike Sherrill signed a bill on Aug. 20 that many fear will be used to undermine the First Amendment and prohibit Americans from praying outside abortion facilities.
According to the Catholic News Agency, the bill will implement a sort of "bubble" zone around reproductive health centers. It "criminalizes 'interference' with 'reproductive' or 'gender-affirming' care," as well as "inflicting 'emotional harm' against those seeking or providing 'reproductive health care services.' It also bans filming and sharing videos within 100 feet of an abortion clinic."
And violations carry a hefty punishment -- up to a year and a half in jail or up to $10,000 in fines.
Pro-life advocates across America are sounding the alarm over this bill, which eerily brings to mind similar legislation that has been used to arrest individuals for silently praying in the U.K. Many rightly suspect that the law is intended to muzzle and intimidate pro-life advocates, including those who merely pray peacefully outside abortion clinics.