In less than three weeks, Liberty Counsel goes to court to defend pro-life hero Sandra Merritt. And when we walk into court on September 3 to begin a two-week “preliminary hearing,” we’ll be fighting baseless and politically motivated charges.

And we’ll be doing so on an uneven playing field.

The accusations against Sandra stem from her courageous undercover journalism. With colleague David Daleiden, she exposed Planned Parenthood’s grotesque trade in the body parts of children it kills by abortion.

Because this critical two-week hearing is so pivotal to the outcome of this unjust prosecution and to Sandra's freedom, I am asking for your help today. The costs for this—and the other vital cases in our full docket—are extensive.

But thanks to the $100,000 Challenge Grant for our online supporters, your gift now will be effectively doubled. Please send a special gift today to stand with Sandra and help Liberty Counsel defend life, liberty and the family.

+  +  Hostile territory . . .

When we face off in court against the state of California—with its nearly unlimited resources—we’ll be in hostile territory (San Francisco). Let me give you a few SHOCKING examples of what I mean.

• Selective Prosecution: California Attorney General Xavier Becerra’s baseless and politically motivated charges against Sandra stem from her undercover work in exposing Planned Parenthood's illegal sale of aborted baby body parts. But no other citizen journalist or journalism organization has ever been charged with a crime for undercover recordings.

• Outrageous $75,000 Bail: Authorities searched, handcuffed and jailed Sandra—a grandmother in her 60s—when she appeared in criminal court to answer Becerra’s baseless 15-count criminal felony indictment. It took 12 hours, three judges and an outrageous $75,000 in bail before she was released!

By contrast, as Liberty Counsel’s Chief Litigation Counsel Horatio Mihet noted, “a 34-year-old illegal immigrant, the very definition of a flight risk, is charged with rape and gets his bail set at $2,500.”

• Documented Bias: California courts refused to dismiss this case despite evidence that Becerra and his predecessor, now Senator Kamala Harris, received thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from Planned Parenthood. In addition, after the “investigation” began under then-AG Harris, the Attorney General’s office maintained an ongoing financial, political, and close working relationship with executive officers and employees of various Planned Parenthood entities.

Becerra demonstrated an indisputable loyalty to Planned Parenthood. He made it very clear, publicly, when speaking at a Planned Parenthood event with the words “I Stand with Planned Parenthood” behind him.

• Private Parties as Prosecutors: Incredibly, the trial judge is permitting Planned Parenthood’s four operatives—all private individuals—to intervene in the criminal trial against Sandra. "Allowing a private party to meddle in criminal proceedings supposedly brought by the state of California is unprecedented and unlawful," declared Mihet.

He added: "Planned Parenthood's attempt to intervene in the Attorney General's case pulls the mask off the unseemly collusion between them that is responsible for this political prosecution."

• Attempt at Trial in Secret: In a truly astonishing move, Attorney General Becerra tried to seal and shield from public viewing the video evidence to be shown in the courtroom during Sandra’s two-week preliminary hearing, starting on September 3.

The attorney general’s brand of “justice” based upon secret proceedings and secret evidence is not acceptable in a free nation governed by a Constitution which guarantees public proceedings for the accused. On this matter, the court denied Becerra’s request and the public will see the video evidence at the preliminary hearing. However, the judge will seal the video evidence after the hearing.

+  +  Help us defend Sandra against this political vendetta!

In less than three weeks, Liberty Counsel will be defending Sandra in criminal court when we go up against the vast resources at the disposal of Attorney General Becerra. As California’s top lawyer, he has a staff of some 4,500 and an annual budget of more than $800 million.

We are fighting the combined might of the state of California--with its almost unlimited resources--and Planned Parenthood, one of America's most powerful and politically connected organizations.

Will you help us defend Sandra Merritt against this political vendetta?

Thank you so much for your prayers and support. We rely on the faithful partnership of friends like you each and every day we go into battle.

Please give as generously as you can.

Mat Staver

Founder and Chairman
Liberty Counsel