Six Pro-Life Activists Face Up to 10 Years in Prison For Protest Outside Abortion Clinic In Tennessee
by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – Six Pro-Life activists face up to 10 years in prison after being convicted of violating federal law for a protest outside an abortion clinic in Tennessee.
In Nashville, a federal jury convicted six individuals for breaching the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act with their March 2021 protest outside the Carafem Health Center Clinic in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. Prosecutors characterized the event as a “clinic blockade.”
“These defendants are being held accountable for unlawfully obstructing access to reproductive health services,” stated U.S. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke at the conclusion of the six-day trial held in Nashville, Tennessee. “The Justice Department will continue to enforce the FACE Act to protect the rights of those who provide and those who seek access to such services.”
The case has sparked controversy among abortion opponents, who claim the administration is misusing the FACE Act to target pro-life activists while allegedly neglecting nearly 90 incidents of violence against pro-life pregnancy centers since the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in June 2022.
The Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE Act, May 26, 1994, 18 U.S.C. § 248) is a U.S. law enacted in May 1994 under President Bill Clinton. It makes it illegal to use force, threats, or obstruction to interfere with someone obtaining an abortion, to intimidate or interfere with someone exercising their First Amendment rights at a place of worship, or to intentionally damage a reproductive health care facility or place of worship.
The @TheJusticeDept has weaponized the FACE Act against pro-life sidewalk counselors while failing to protect pregnancy centers and churches from violent attacks. @chiproytx and I have a bill to repeal this unconstitutional law: https://t.co/xkAgYk9Ti0 https://t.co/8KJbRv9BXD
— Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) November 28, 2023
The pro-life activists — Chester Gallagher, Heather Idoni, Calvin Zastrow, Coleman Boyd, Paul Vaughn, and Dennis Green — were also found guilty of felony conspiracy. They face a maximum of 10-and-a-half years in prison and fines of up to $260,000. The sentencing for the six individuals is set for July 2, but their lawyers are anticipated to file an appeal.
“This was a peaceful demonstration by entirely peaceable citizens—filled with prayer, hymn-singing, and worship—oriented toward persuading expecting mothers not to abort their babies,” said Steve Crampton, Thomas More Society senior counsel, who represents Vaughn.
“The Biden Department of Justice’s pattern of arresting and prosecuting peaceful pro-life advocates is disturbing,” said Mr. Crampton.
The protest was captured on video and live-streamed by the activists on Facebook, displaying them seated in front of the clinic’s entrance while singing.
BREAKING: Six pro-life activists were just found guilty in federal court after being prosecuted by Biden's DOJ under the FACE Act for protesting outside a Nashville abortion clinic.
Here's a snippet of the protest, which occurred on March 5, 2021.
For the crime of praying and… pic.twitter.com/UPzZvtZebM
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) January 30, 2024
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