Before the ink was dry on our story reporting three pro-life supporters were sentenced to months in prison, four more pro-life activists were given lengthy prison sentences for their part in a protest at a notorious abortion clinic in Washington, D.C.
According to a statement from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), “Today, Jonathan Darnel was sentenced to 34 months in prison, Herb Geraghty was sentenced to 27 months in prison, Jean Marshall was sentenced to 24 months in prison, and Joan Bell was sentenced to 27 months in prison.”
U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves for the District of Columbia said, “These defendants conspired to use force to prevent fellow citizens from exercising rights protected by law.”
But this statement is nonsensical. The U.S. Supreme Court held in 2022 that abortion is not a right guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. So how can individuals conspire against a right that doesn’t exist?
The sentencing follows one day after 81-year-old leftist U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly – an appointee of former President Bill Clinton – sentenced pro-life activists Lauren Handy to 57 months in prison, John Hinshaw to 21 months in prison, and William Goodman to 27 months in prison.
The DOJ prosecuted these pro-life supporters for violating the FACE (Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances) Act and for “Conspiracy Against Rights.”
As we previously reported, “on Oct. 22, 2020, Lauren Handy and nine other activists used chains, ropes and bike locks to tie themselves together, using their bodies to block access to the Washington Surgi-Clinic. They were attempting to prevent the clinic from performing abortions that day.”
We noted that,
Handy and the other activists were concerned that the clinic’s abortionist, Cesare Santangelo, was likely violating the Born Alive Infant Protection Act by refusing to provide life-saving care to infants born alive after a failed abortion, and/or the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act. The remains of several later-term aborted babies were discovered by Ms. Handy and her associates, supporting their claims.
While Santangelo has not been prosecuted for performing allegedly illegal abortions, the federal government has prosecuted these non-violent pro-life activists to the fullest extent of the law.
After the seven activists were sentenced, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said, “As we mark the 30th anniversary of the FACE Act, it’s important that we not lose sight of the history of violence against reproductive health care providers including the murder of Dr. David Gunn in Florida.”
Clarke’s attempt to tie the activist’s peaceful protest of likely illegal abortions, to the murder (which is already a crime even without the FACE Act) of an abortionist, is utterly dishonest. One action attempts to save lives. The other takes a life. It’s reprehensible for the DOJ to attempt to tie the two together.
Two more pro-life activists – Paulette Harlow and Heather Idoni – are scheduled to be sentenced later this month.
Perhaps Isaiah 5:20 is the best Bible verse that describes yesterday and today’s dark judicial proceedings.
“Woe to those who call evil good
and good evil,
who put darkness for light
and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet
and sweet for bitter!” (ESV).
Lauren Handy’s attorneys have already announced they plan to appeal her sentence. Please pray for justice to be done in this case.
You can read more about this case here.
If you are experiencing an unexpected pregnancy and want to learn more about your options, visit My Choice Network.
Related articles and resources:
Alleged Criminal Abortionist Goes Free While Pro-Life Activists Sentenced to Prison
Photo from Getty Images.
