DOJ files lawsuit against pro-life activists for blocking access to abortion clinic
The Justice Department recently filed a civil lawsuit against two pro-life organizations and seven activists for allegedly impeding access to an abortion clinic in Ohio last year. The lawsuit, lodged in the Northern District of Ohio, targets Citizens for a Pro-Life Society, a charity based in Michigan, and Red Rose Rescue, whose website is managed by the charity’s president and appeals for donations. Additionally, the suit includes the activists who purportedly obstructed access to two Ohio clinics providing abortion services on June 4 and 5, 2021.
The prosecutors reason that the activists breached the 1994 FACE Act, a federal law that prohibits the use of physical force, threats of force, or property damage with the intent to hinder individuals from obtaining or offering abortion services. The lawsuit names Lauren Handy following her recent sentencing for a similar demonstration.
The complaint filed in Ohio seeks $5,000 in damages for each affected person and penalties of up to $20,516 for each defendant, as stipulated by the FACE Act. The complaint alleges that the defendants engaged in physical obstruction to intimidate or disrupt individuals providing or seeking reproductive health services.
One of the alleged incidents occurred at the Northeast Ohio Women’s Center in Cuyahoga Falls, where individuals gained entry to the facility by deceptive means and proceeded to distribute roses to patients, imploring them to reconsider their decision to undergo an abortion. Subsequently, the staff attempted to remove the patients from the waiting room, resulting in a confrontation between an activist and a patient.
Police intervention was necessary to remove the activists from the clinic premises after they refused to comply with the staff’s requests. Another protest unfolded the following day at a Planned Parenthood facility in Bedford Heights Surgery Center, where activists engaged with individuals waiting in the parking lot, distributing brochures and attempting to coerce them into accepting roses.
The situation escalated as one activist entered the waiting room and physically pushed a patient when asked to depart. Police were called to the scene, leading to arrests and disruptions that necessitated the clinic closure for the day, causing rescheduling of surgeries and consultations.
The Justice Department emphasized the illegality of obstructing access to reproductive healthcare services and impeding providers from offering such services. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke affirmed the department’s commitment to enforcing federal laws to protect the rights of those seeking and providing reproductive health services.
It is imperative to adhere to legal boundaries while advocating for any cause, respecting the rights and choices of individuals seeking medical care. Stay tuned for further updates on this ongoing legal matter as it unfolds.
