In January, Donald Trump pardoned 23 anti-abortion extremists convicted under the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act—a law passed in 1994 to address an epidemic of anti-abortion violence in the United States.
Some of those pardoned wasted no time returning to harassment and obstruction.
This summer, police arrested six out-of-state extremists at a Delaware County clinic—including two offenders Trump pardoned earlier this year. According to reports, they refused to leave the clinic and splashed an unknown liquid and powder on the clinic walls and floor.
This is not an isolated event. Pennsylvania has a long, grim history of anti-abortion harassment and violence. Now, with abortion banned in much of the country, extremists are traveling to states like Pennsylvania to target patients and providers here. And since the Justice Department has largely stopped enforcing the federal FACE Act, Pennsylvanians are more vulnerable than ever.
Right now, as anti-abortion activists are targeting and harassing patients outside clinics as part of a 40-day harassment campaign, it’s clear that we urgently need a state FACE Act to protect providers, patients, and clinic staff from obstruction, harassment, and violence.
👉 If you are a provider, clinic escort, or patient affected by anti-abortion obstructionism and want to help advocate for this bill, contact us at [email protected].
Together, we protect us!
PS: The individuals who were arrested at the Delaware County clinic are due back in court on October 8. We will keep you posted.
