The Supreme Court held that the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO)Act cannot ordinarily be used against anti-abortion protesters even if they block access to a medical clinic in the 2003 case of:

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In Scheidler v. National Organization for Women, the Supreme Court held that anti-abortion protesters cannot be prosecuted under the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act unless their activities include a pattern of racketeering activity unrelated to their anti-abortion activities. The Court explained that the term "racketeering activity" in the RICO Act refers to specified criminal acts such as extortion and fraud, and not to peaceful protest activities, even if they involve trespass or other interference with access to medical facilities. Therefore, the RICO Act could not be used against the anti-abortion protesters in this case.

The Supreme Court Held That the Federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt