ABSTRACT
In National Organization for Women v. Scheidler, 510 US 249, the US Supreme Court found that the National Organization for Women could sue protest groups who blocked access to abortion facilities, on grounds that they engaged in racketeering and extortion in violation of federal statutes. In 1986, National Organization for Women brought charges against a coalition of antiabortion groups involved in antiabortion activity, alleging that they were part of a conspiracy to shut down abortion facilities through racketeering and extortion. One such group was the Pro-Life Action Network (PLAN), whose president was Joseph Scheidler. National Organization for Women accused PLAN and the other groups under the federal antiextortion law of being in violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations chapter of Organized Crime Control Act of 1970. National Organization for Women brought a class action suit, representing all women and abortion providers who were denied access to abortion facilities due to protests and blockades created by members of PLAN.
