(March 24, 2025 – Chicago, Illinois) Thomas More Society attorneys announced a $450,000 attorneys’ fees and costs award to the national public interest law firm, just agreed to by the City of Minneapolis, which adds onto an over $6,000 costs judgment previously awarded by the court. Thomas More Society represented Pro-Life Action Ministries in a lawsuit challenging the city’s unconstitutional buffer zone ordinance.

The ordinance, enacted in 2022, restricted the free speech rights of pro-life sidewalk counselors by prohibiting their peaceful outreach efforts outside the City’s Planned Parenthood abortion facility. Pro-Life Action Ministries, with the support of the Thomas More Society, filed suit in 2023, arguing that the law violated their constitutional rights to free speech and freedom of religion. After nearly two years of hard-fought litigation, in December 2024, Thomas More Society attorneys secured entry of agreed judgments in the case. Minneapolis amended its ordinance to exclude Pro-Life Action Ministries’ constitutionally protected activities, including sidewalk counseling, and agreed to cover attorneys’ fees and costs incurred by Thomas More Society.

Peter Breen, Thomas More Society Executive Vice President & Head of Litigation, stated: “This is a total victory for free speech and the pro-life movement. The City of Minneapolis’ capitulation and agreement to pay nearly a half-million dollars in fees and costs reflects the strength of our case and demonstrates the importance of vigorously defending fundamental freedoms in court. Politicians seeking to hinder and silence the efforts of pro-life sidewalk counselors should think twice—or it will cost them.”

Brian Gibson, Chief Executive Officer of Pro-Life Action Ministries, added: “We are extremely grateful to the Thomas More Society legal team that won this decisive victory. Our restored ability to utilize our Constitutionally protected rights, offering help and hope to those with scheduled abortions at the Minneapolis Planned Parenthood, has already saved more babies’ lives. The City of Minneapolis admitting to have violated our rights should serve as a warning to other cities looking to enact similar ordinances.”

Read City of Minneapolis Council Action No. 2025A-0217, approving settlement of claims for Thomas More Society attorneys’ fees and costs, here.

Read background on this Thomas More Society victory on behalf of Pro-Life Action Ministries against the City of Minneapolis, here.  

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