This Husband Was Arrested While Saving Babies Outside Abortion Clinic

You know that the ACLJ is committed to defending the constitutional rights of individuals across the nation. But we, of course, have a special place in our hearts for the dedicated and passionate advocates for the unborn. Recently, we took on a case that highlights the ongoing battle for free speech and the protection of First Amendment rights everywhere, but particularly for pro-life advocates who face increasing threats across the country.

The radical pro-abortion Left is using unconstitutional ordinances and rogue prosecutors to criminalize, prosecute, and, in some cases, imprison pro-life advocates.

The Case of Zack Knotts

Zack Knotts is a dedicated pro-life advocate who, along with his wife, Lindsay, regularly participates in peaceful protests outside abortion clinics. On the morning of December 28, 2024, the couple traveled to the Northeast Ohio Women’s Center (NEOWC), an abortion clinic in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, to voice their opposition to abortion. Equipped with a small battery-powered megaphone, Zack amplified his message, hoping to reach those entering the clinic and passersby. His goal was to share his deeply held belief about the sanctity of life and to offer support to women considering abortion.

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However, their peaceful protest was met with hostility. Several clinic escorts armed with umbrellas, kazoos, and whistles attempted to drown out Zack’s constitutionally protected speech. Despite the disruptive tactics of the abortion escorts, Zack and Lindsay remained on the public sidewalk, never encroaching on the abortion clinic property or its visitors. During the protest, Zack tried to engage in conversations with the abortion escorts and share personal stories about how abortion had affected his family. They were met with cruel responses, including threats and taunts from the abortion escorts.

The local police force had been there throughout the day. However, at some point, the Cuyahoga Falls Police Department allegedly received a noise complaint about Zack’s pro-life speech, and additional officers arrived. They never spoke to Zack. They never asked any of the protestors what happened or for their side of the story. They never asked to see Zack’s video. They didn’t cite any of the abortion escorts for their noise or their threats. However, what they did do was single out Zack and cite him with disorderly conduct. What’s more, the officers told him that if he ever “caused annoyance or a disturbance” there again, with or without a megaphone, he’d face the threat of rearrest and increased penalties. Never mind that Zack’s megaphone was no louder than the nearby traffic or barely audible over the sounds of the abortion escorts’ kazoos.

Our client was issued a criminal citation under a noise ordinance that bans “annoyance . . . to another.”

The law enforcement acted in a nakedly one-sided and discriminatory manner, retaliating against Zack for his First Amendment speech. This story highlights the challenges pro-life advocates like Zack face in exercising their constitutional rights.

Unconstitutional Ordinance

The police cited Zack under an ordinance that bans the amplification of certain viewpoints in public but exempts others, like “outdoor musical or theatrical performances or concerts . . . by any educational, charitable, governmental or religious organization.” You have a right to be heard, and the government especially cannot pick and choose which protests or voices get to be heard based on their political preferences. The Supreme Court made it clear in Citizens United: “Prohibited, too, are restrictions distinguishing among different speakers, allowing speech by some but not others.” (Emphasis added.) The city can’t pick and choose who gets to speak.

Not only that, but no law can be weaponized just because someone let their voice be heard. The Supreme Court has also made clear: “The decision to prosecute may not be ‘deliberately based upon an unjustifiable standard such as race, religion, or other arbitrary classification,’ including the exercise of protected statutory and constitutional rights.” (Emphasis added.)

And that’s why we are representing Zack, as he faces criminal prosecution. No one should face selective prosecution for their political opinion. Not only is it unconstitutional, but as we have seen here, selective ordinances like this can quickly be weaponized against heroes advocating for the unborn. We are employing a robust legal strategy to defend Zack and ensure that he and his wife remain free to continue spreading their message.

We are only in the initial stages of Mr. Knott’s criminal trial, but the citation issued to him underscores a broader issue facing pro-life advocates nationwide. Unconstitutional ordinances and selective enforcement practices threaten the ability of pro-life advocates to peacefully express their views and engage in protected speech. So long as these advocates face the threat of selective enforcement, their voices will be chilled and suppressed. That’s unacceptable.

Continuing the Fight

The ACLJ remains vigilant in defending the constitutional rights of those advocating for the protection of life. We will continue to challenge laws and ordinances that infringe upon free speech and religious liberty. Your support enables us to take on these critical cases and secure victories for freedom.

Take action with us as we defend Zack Knotts and other pro-life advocates from unconstitutional criminal prosecution. Together, we can defend those who are defending the unborn.

LifeNews Note:  Matthew Clark writes for the American Center for Law and Justice and is a staff attorney.

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