Six pro-life activists were found guilty on Tuesday for "Conspiracy against rights" and violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances in relation to a peaceful protest outside of a Tennessee abortion facility in 2021.
President Joe Biden's pro-abortion administration announced in October 2022 that it had charged 11 activists involved in the March 5, 2021, "Blockade" of the Carafem Health Center Clinic in Mount Juliet.
Attorneys for the activists said they were conducting a "Rescue" and had gathered on the second floor of the office building where the clinic is located to pray, sing hymns, and urge women not to go through with abortions.
Six of the activists have now been found guilty of a misdemeanor FACE Act charge, as well as a felony conspiracy against rights charge, which carries with it the possibility of up to 11 years in prison and fines up to $250,000.
Since the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision, the DOJ has notably charged more pro-life activists under the FACE Act than pro-abortion activists, despite the fact that FBI director Christopher Wray admitted in November of 2022 that approximately 70 percent of abortion-related threats of violence in the United States since the Dobbs decision have been against pro-life groups.
In December of 2022, Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta also admitted in remarks at the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division's 65th Anniversary that the end of Roe v. Wade dialed up "The urgency" of the DOJ's work, including the "Enforcement of the FACE Act, to ensure continued lawful access to reproductive services." The Biden administration's pursuit of pro-life activists has resulted in several high-profile cases, including that of Catholic father of seven Mark Houck, who was found not guilty of federal assault charges brought by President Joe Biden's DOJ. The DOJ had decided to press charges against Houck, even though local authorities declined to press charges.
In response to these incidents, Rep. Chip Roy introduced legislation in September of 2023 to repeal the FACE Act, which "Prohibits threats of force, obstruction and property damage intended to interfere with reproductive health care services." Roy said that while the law was designed to protect abortion facilities, it has instead been weaponized by President Joe Biden's DOJ to target pro-life activists.
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