Using a contentious statute, the Justice Department is going after more pro-life advocates.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Monday that it was suing Red Rose Rescue and Citizens for a Pro Life Society, two pro-life organizations, as well as seven pro-life activists: Lauren Handy, Monica Miller, Clara McDonald, Christopher Moscinski, Jay Smith, Audrey Whipple, and Laura Gies. The lawsuit was based on claims that the pro-life activists had broken the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act almost three years prior.
“It is absurd that the Biden Justice Department targets pro-life Americans while providing law enforcement sanctuary to dangerous illegal aliens and criminals.”
President Biden’s DOJ is primarily targeting pro-life activists with the controversial FACE Act.
The lawsuit alleges that on June 4, 2021, and June 5, 2021, the defendants physically obstructed two abortion facilities in Ohio.
The defendants allegedly went into the clinic’s waiting room during the first incident and urged expectant mothers against having abortions. According to the lawsuit, when requested to leave, the defendants refused. When police finally showed up, they forcibly removed the pro-life protestors from the waiting area.
According to the lawsuit, the demonstration caused scheduling conflicts at the clinic, resulting in some women having to postpone their “abortions to different days.”
The other incident had the defendants reportedly approaching women who were considering an abortion in the parking lot of an abortion center and pressuring them not to have one. According to the lawsuit, the defendants blocked access to the clinic and the vehicles parked there, and the pro-life campaigners disobeyed police orders to leave.
The clinic had to close for the day as a result of their alleged activities, which disrupted nine scheduled “surgeries,” according to the lawsuit. This is probably a reference to abortions.
Miller, one of the defendants in the complaint and director of Citizens for a Pro-Life Society, refuted the government’s claims.
Miller, who spoke to Blaze News, stated, “We do not use any type of physical obstacle, and there is no restriction on freedom of movement for women desiring to kill their unborn kids or abortion clinic workers.”
She clarified, saying, “The DOJ’s complaint completely falsifies and mischaracterizes what we do.” “The rescuers simply walk into the waiting area, take a seat, and engage in conversation with the mothers while providing them with material support and, of course, red roses.” We are sure that we will defeat this fraudulent attempt to intimidate nonviolent pro-life activists who are attempting to support mothers and prevent the unborn from suffering horrifically.”
Assistant AG Kristen Clarke brazenly said in a statement that the DOJ is “dedicated” to upholding the FACE Act in order to safeguard anyone attempting to obtain “access to reproductive health services.”
Clarke says, “It is illegal to physically prevent healthcare providers from providing reproductive health care and to prevent people from getting it.” “This month marks the 30th anniversary of Congress passing the FACE Act in reaction to violent acts, threats of violence, and obstruction at reproductive health clinics around our nation.”
According to allegations made against her during her Senate confirmation process, Clarke is the same DOJ official who lied under oath about her arrest history.
Following the Roe v. Wade decision, the DOJ has expanded its enforcement of the FACE Act, primarily targeting pro-lifers, under Clarke’s direction, according to the Daily Signal. Despite targeting dozens of pro-life centers and over 200 churches since Roe’s overturn, the DOJ has only charged a small number of people for FACE Act violations related to these crimes.
According to the Washington Free Beacon, pro-abortion Clarke thinks pregnancy centers are “destructive,” “predatory,” and “false,” as they give women options besides abortion.
The frequency of FACE Act usage is unknown, as the DOJ refuses to provide that information.
Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) are retaliating against Biden’s DOJ and the FACE Act because of what appears to be the Act’s selective implementation.
Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) told Blaze News, “It is time to repeal the FACE Act.”
