Life Legal has filed a lawsuit on behalf of Michael Gribbin, a pro-life activist who was assaulted by Google employee Quinn Chasan while “chalking” outside of a Planned Parenthood in Washington, DC.
Chalking on the sidewalk is a form of constitutionally-protected speech, yet Chasan aggressively confronted Gribbin and ripped the chalk out of his hands. The perpetrator then threw the chalk on the ground, screamed obscenities at Gribbin, and tried to flee the scene on a bicycle. Gribbin demanded that the assailant stay in the area until the police arrived. At that point, Chasan physically assaulted Gribbin, punching him in the head and face and throwing him to the ground, causing injuries.
When Gribbin tried to get up, the attacker threatened him, saying, “Do you want me to beat the [profanity] out of you again?”
Life Legal attorney John Garza alleges that Chasan committed a battery against Michael, resulting in serious injuries and physical pain. Garza also argues that the assailant’s actions constitute a hate crime under Washington, DC law, in that they were fueled by his prejudice against Gribbin’s political and religious affiliations.
“We are appalled that an individual engaged in peaceful First Amendment activity would be subjected to such a hateful, violent assault,” said Life Legal Defense Foundation Executive Director Alexandra Snyder. “Life Legal will pursue all legal measures to obtain justice for Michael Gribbin and to ensure that other pro-life advocates are protected from this kind of brutality.”
Garza is demanding a jury trial. The next hearing in this case is scheduled for February 21, 2020.
Click here to watch footage from the attack as Michael describes what transpired.