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Scheidler v. NOW, Inc. December 4, 2002 (01-1118) return to case listing Case Summary Respondents National Organization for Women (NOW), other women's rights organizations and abortion clinics brought suit against organizers of antiabortion protests claiming that the antiabortion protest tactics violated the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act 18 U.S.C. §§ 1961-68 (RICO). After trial on Respondents' RICO claims, the jury found for Respondents and the court ordered a nationwide injunction prohibiting Petitioners from conducting blockades, trespassing, damaging property, or committing acts of violence at the Respondent clinics. Petitioners appealed and argued that RICO does not authorize a private group to seek a nationwide injunction and that Petitioners' actions did not qualify as extortion under federal law. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit affirmed the lower court decision. The opinion of the Seventh Circuit is found at 267 F.3d 687. To see the opinion of the lower court, click here. PREDICTED OUTCOME ACTUAL OUTCOME Forecasting Model Expert One Expert Two Expert Three 6-3 to Reverse 7-2 to Affirm 5-4 to Affirm n/a 8-1 to Reverse VOTING TO REVERSE Rehnquist O'Connor Scalia Kennedy Thomas Breyer Scalia Thomas Rehnquist Scalia Kennedy Thomas Rehnquist O'Connor Scalia Kennedy Souter Thomas Ginsburg Breyer VOTING TO AFFIRM Stevens Souter Ginsburg Rehnquist Stevens O'Connor Kennedy Souter Ginsburg Breyer Stevens O'Connor Souter Ginsburg Breyer Stevens return to case listing