FACE Act

The Latest

From left: John Hinshaw, Jonathan Darnel, Lauren Handy, Joan Bell, and Jean Marshall are among the pro-life activists who are still in prison or awaiting prison sentences on federal charges brought by President Joe Biden’s Department of Justice for protests at abortion clinics — but President-elect Donald Trump has signaled he will likely grant them presidential pardons.

Meet the pro-life prisoners whom Trump is expected to pardon

Nov 21, 2024

By Tyler Arnold

During President Joe Biden’s tenure as president, the DOJ has brought FACE Act charges against more than 30 people who... Read more

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Young mother jailed for 3.5 years for blocking abortion entrance

Oct 18, 2024

By Kate Quiñones

Bevelyn Beatty Williams reported to the Federal Correctional Institution in Aliceville, Alabama, after the judge denied her appeal request. Read more

Longtime pro-life activist Eva Edl (left) prays in front of a Senate office building on Capitol Hill, Sept. 6, 2001, to protest President George W. Bush's decision to allow limited stem cell research.

89-year-old death camp survivor convicted for pro-life protest faces jail time

Aug 21, 2024

By Daniel Payne

The seven defendants in the case were found guilty for their involvement in a “blockade of a reproductive health care... Read more

Pro-life activists are facing federal charges for protesting abortion at the Carafem Health Center Clinic, in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee.

Three more pro-life activists sentenced under FACE Act

Jul 31, 2024

By Peter Pinedo

James Zastrow, Eva Zastrow, and Paul Place were sentenced to 90 days in home detention and three years of probation... Read more

Vandalism at a Heartbeat of Miami pregnancy center in Hialeah, Florida, July 3, 2022.

Florida pro-abortion activists to pay restitution following pro-life clinic vandalism 

Jul 26, 2024

By Kate Quiñones

At Heartbeat of Miami, the vandalism resulted in thousands of dollars in damages, with graffitied messages such as “Jane’s Revenge”... Read more

A Manhattan federal court sentenced Bevelyn Beatty Williams, a 33-year-old pro-life activist, to three years and five months in prison July 24, 2024, for violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act by preaching outside an abortion clinic.

Young mother gets more than 3 years in prison for blocking abortion clinic entrance

Jul 25, 2024

By Kate Quiñones

Bevelyn Beatty Williams, 33, was convicted of “interference, including by threats and force, with individuals seeking to obtain and provide”... Read more

FBI Director Christopher Wray testifies before the House Judiciary Committee in the Rayburn House Office Building on July 24, 2024, in Washington, D.C.

FBI director denies targeting pro-life activists

Jul 25, 2024

By Peter Pinedo

FBI Director Christopher Wray denied in his testimony to Congress on Wednesday that the bureau under the Biden administration has... Read more

U.S. Department of Justice headquarters building in Washington, D.C.

Pro-life activist Paul Vaughn avoids jail time after FACE Act conviction

Jul 3, 2024

By Tyler Arnold

Pro-life activist Paul Vaughn has been sentenced to three years of supervised release — but did not receive prison time... Read more

Vandalism at a Heartbeat of Miami pregnancy center in Hialeah, Florida, July 3, 2022.

Perpetrators to be ‘held accountable’ after vandalism against pregnancy center

Jul 2, 2024

By Kate Quiñones

Heartbeat of Miami has “reached a favorable settlement” with vandals who graffitied its property in June 2022, according to a... Read more

Pro-life activists protest the incarceration of nine activists charged with FACE Act violations.

Another elderly pro-life activist sentenced to two years in prison

May 31, 2024

By Joe Bukuras

Paulette Harlow, 75, was sentenced to two years in jail Friday after being convicted last November of participating in a... Read more

Washington Surgi-Clinic on F St. NW in Washington, D.C., on April 7, 2022.

Pro-lifers imprisoned under FACE Act speak out

May 16, 2024

By Peter Pinedo

Joan Andrews Bell, a 76-year-old Catholic, shared a statement in which she vowed to continue advocating for the unborn and... Read more

PAAU activists hold a rally outside Washington Surgi-Clinic in Washington, D.C., May 4, 2022.

Lawmakers renew calls to repeal the FACE Act

May 16, 2024

By Peter Pinedo

Lawmakers are claiming that the FACE Act, which was used to convict and sentence the pro-life activists, is being abused... Read more

Pro-life activist Joan Andrews Bell listens during a news conference on the five fetuses found inside the home where she and other anti-abortion activists were living on Capitol Hill at a news conference at the Hyatt Regency on April 5, 2022, in Washington, D.C.

Elderly pro-life activist sentenced to over two years in prison under FACE Act

May 15, 2024

By Peter Pinedo

Joan Andrews Bell, a 76-year-old Catholic, and three other pro-life activists were sentenced to prison Wednesday. Read more

Pro-life activist Lauren Handy listens during a news conference on the five fetuses found inside the home where she and other anti-abortion activists were living on Capitol Hill at a news conference at the Hyatt Regency on April 5, 2022, in Washington, D.C.

UPDATE: Washington pro-life activists sentenced to years in prison under FACE Act

May 14, 2024

By Peter Pinedo

Handy and eight other pro-life activists were convicted nine months ago on felony charges of conspiracy against rights and violation... Read more

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Four more pro-life activists convicted under FACE Act

Apr 3, 2024

By Peter Pinedo

According to a Department of Justice statement, the pro-lifers face a “maximum of six months in prison, five years of... Read more

Former president Donald Trump accused the Biden administration of "weaponizing the government," and targeting Catholics and pro-life advocates.

Trump accuses Biden of ‘persecuting’ Catholics

Mar 1, 2024

By Jonah McKeown

In an interview with Sean Hannity Feb. 29, the former president asserted that “Christians and Americans of faith are being... Read more

Pro-life activists protest the incarceration of nine activists charged with FACE Act violations on Jan. 19, 2024.

Six pro-life activists convicted of federal FACE Act charges, face over a decade in prison

Jan 31, 2024

By Daniel Payne

The defendants were “each convicted of a felony conspiracy against rights and a Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE)... Read more

Pro-life activists are facing federal charges for protesting abortion at the Carafem Health Center Clinic in Mount Juliet, Tennessee.

Six pro-lifers face FACE Act charges in Tennessee, could see 11 years in jail

Jan 26, 2024

By Joe Bukuras

The activists were videotaped walking into an abortion clinic and blocking access to the door by sitting in front of... Read more

Pro-life progressives rally for the unborn at the March for Life in front of the Supreme Court on Jan. 19, 2024.

Pro-life progressives make their voices heard at March for Life

Jan 19, 2024

By Tyler Arnold

Members of the Progressive Anti-Abortion Uprising (PAAU) and other pro-life progressives gathered in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on... Read more

Vandalism of a pro-life display outside St. Paul Catholic Church in Fenton, Missouri on Oct. 3, 2023.

2023 witnessed continued attacks on pro-life pregnancy centers, churches

Dec 29, 2023

By Joe Bukuras

Attacks on pro-life pregnancy centers only got worse once Roe was officially overturned in June 2022, and they continued throughout... Read more