Idaho Family Policy Center has received quite a bit of local, national, and even international media attention lately—and it’s in large part thanks to you!
Because nearly 2,800 people across the Gem State partnered with us in getting the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce to change their stance on crosses in their Fourth of July Parade, the rest of the world took notice.
IFPC is impacting the culture for Christ—but that’s only possible because of your continued partnership. Together, we will keep building an Idaho where God is honored, religious freedom flourishes, families thrive, and life is cherished.
Americans in Idaho cross out parade policy banning religious symbols
Joseph Mackinnon | The Blaze | 7/5/24
The backlash was fierce and swift.
The Idaho Family Policy Center, a Christian organization linked to the Family Policy Alliance, campaigned against the policy, suggesting that “it’s impossible to celebrate America without fully embracing our nation’s — and our state’s — Christian heritage.”
“Christians should be free to respectfully proclaim the Gospel, the cross of Christ, and the Christian flag. This is especially true at celebrations of the United States of America,” said the organization. “It’s time to push back against this censorship of our founding values — and stand with conviction for religious expression at local Independence Day celebrations.”
Fourth of July Parade Participants in Coeur D’Alene Carry Crosses Following Pushback Against Chamber of Commerce
Jessica Lea | ChurchLeaders | 7/5/24
On June 28, the Idaho Family Policy Center (IFPC) posted an alert urging people to “push back against this censorship of our founding values—and stand with conviction for religious expression at local Independence Day celebrations.”
On its website, IFPC describes itself as “a ministry that advances the lordship of Christ in the public square through engaging the church, promoting God-honoring public policy, and training statesmen.” The organization encouraged people to email the CDA Regional Chamber “asking them to allow Christian parade participants to express their faith.”
Idaho Town Erupts After Chamber Bans Crosses From Fourth of July Parade
Todd Starnes | 7/4/24
“America was founded as a Christian nation. So why is one local Independence Day parade restricting Christian expression for participants,” asked Titus Folks, vice president of the Idaho Family Policy Center. “We were shocked when we learned that the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce recently changed their policies to prohibit religious symbols and flags in their annual 4th of July parade.”
Folks correctly pointed out that “it’s impossible to celebrate America without fully embracing our nation’s – and our state’s – Christian heritage.”
“Christians should be free to respectfully proclaim the Gospel, the Cross of Christ, and the Christian flag,” he wrote in a scathing message to the Chamber. “This is ESPECIALLY true at celebrations of the United States of America.”
Idaho law requiring libraries to remove materials deemed “obscene” goes into effect Monday
Steffi Roche | KHQ NonStop Local | 7/1/24
The Idaho Family Policy Center (IFPC) based in Boise drafted the bill.
Their leadership argues that HB 710 is not a “book ban,” but, that it protects children from “pornographic material.”
“Those concerns are entirely unfounded when we read the clear text of the statute. The Children’s School and Library Protection Act does not ban any books. Libraries can continue offering obscene or pornographic books to their adult patrons. They simply must restrict access to children,” Blaine Conzatti, the President of IFPC, said.
The political win for the IFPC sparked outrage amongst multiple North Idaho residents who attended the event at the Coeur d’Alene Public Library Monday…
As Idaho’s new library law goes into effect, questions remain
Devin Weeks, Caroline Lobsinger | Coeur d’Alene Press | 6/30/24
That same year, the Idaho Family Policy Center drafted language upon which HB710 was built.
Morgan MaGill, communications manager for the center, said they were approached in 2021 and 2022 by parents who were concerned children they knew had “accessed pornographic books at their local school or community library.”
“No one should distribute pornography to children — especially not public schools and community libraries,” she said. “Parents should trust that their children will not encounter harmful pornography while making use of materials, services and programs provided by public schools and community libraries.”
Another leak? Supreme Court posts and removes decision about emergency room abortions
Cassy Fiano-Chesser | Live Action | 6/26/24
In reaction to the leak, Blaine Conzatti, President of Idaho Family Policy Center, stated:
While this decision will certainly have profound implications for abortion policy nationally, the leaked opinion does not affect the power of states to ban elective abortions.
Conzatti added, “Because ‘medical emergency’ exceptions have proven just as effective as ‘life of the mother’ exceptions in restricting access to elective abortions, we do not anticipate that the abortion rate in Idaho would increase as a result of this ruling….”
Idaho reacts to report of SCOTUS emergency abortion opinion
CBS2 News | 6/26/24
Blaine Conzatti, President of Idaho Family Policy Center, made the following statement in response:
Several years ago, Idaho Family Policy Center warned lawmakers that the ‘life of the mother’ exception in the Trigger law could be construed as conflicting with EMTALA and would almost certainly be challenged in federal court.
For this reason, when we researched, drafted, and championed our Heartbeat law, Idaho Family Policy Center utilized an EMTALA-compliant version of the ‘medical emergency’ exception.
At the time, our decision to include this EMTALA-compliant language received criticism from some pro-life allies. But, as a result of careful drafting, our Heartbeat law has survived every court challenge while simultaneously protecting mothers and saving the lives of thousands of preborn babies.
U.S. Supreme Court accidentally posted opinion on Idaho abortion case. Here’s what it says
Nicole Blanchard | Idaho Statesman | 6/27/24
Blaine Conzatti, head of the Idaho Family Policy Center, said the organization warned lawmakers years ago that its exception to prevent the death of the mother “could be construed as conflicting with EMTALA and would almost certainly be challenged in federal court.”
Conzatti said his organization tried to work around that wording in its “heartbeat law,” which makes it illegal to perform an abortion when a fetal heartbeat — what many physicians say is actually electrical activity — is detected. The Idaho Family Policy Center anticipates more pushback from President Joe Biden and the administration’s allies over abortion access, Conzatti added.
‘Nothing hypothetical’: Health secretary hears stories of impact of Idaho’s abortion ban
Laura Guido | Idaho Press | 6/26/24
The Idaho Family Policy Center, which drafted the “heartbeat” law, said in an emailed press release Wednesday that it strongly disagreed with the court’s leaked opinion.
“While this decision will certainly have profound implications for abortion policy nationally, the leaked opinion does not affect the power of states to ban elective abortions,” Policy Center Blaine Conzatti said in the statement. “Because ‘medical emergency’ exceptions have proven just as effective as ‘life of the mother’ exceptions in restricting access to elective abortions, we do not anticipate that the abortion rate in Idaho would increase as a result of this ruling.”
He said the center “will not stop fighting to safeguard and strengthen our pro-life protections until every preborn child receives equal protection of the laws.”
Leaked doc suggests Supreme Court may side with Biden in forcing Idaho ERs to commit abortions
Life Site News | 6/26/24
In response to the leak, the Idaho Family Policy Center released a statement decrying the potential decision, saying, “Assuming that the leaked opinion is representative of the forthcoming final opinion, we’re disappointed in – and strongly disagree with – the decision of the Court.”
Idaho abortion law stands, for now
Leo Briceno, Carolina Lumetta | WORLD News | 6/27/24
For the first time since it ruled the Constitution does not guarantee a right to abortion, the Supreme Court on Thursday cleared the way for an appellate court to strike down a state law protecting unborn babies—in this case, Idaho’s Defense of Life Act.
While Blaine Conzatti, president of the Idaho Family Policy Center, disagrees with the court’s decision, he doesn’t think the court’s ruling will have much of an effect for the time being.
“We don’t expect the abortion rate in Idaho to increase as a result of this ruling,” Conzatti told WORLD. “The ruling leaves in place most of the Defense of Life Act.”