Pro-Life Protestors CONVICTED

Whatever happened to freedom of speech and freedom to protest?

Three more pro-life protestors were convicted for their role in the 2020 blockade of an abortion clinic. 74-year-old Joan Andrews Bell, Jonathan Darnel, and 72-year-old Jean Marshall were convicted on Friday.

Each faces up to 11 years in prison, as well as a fine of up to $350,000; the three defendants were remanded into custody immediately following their convictions.

The FBI Washington Field Office announced on Monday: “Three Defendants Convicted of Federal Civil Rights Conspiracy and Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act Offenses for Obstructing Access to a Reproductive Health Services Facility.”

Three Defendants Convicted of Federal Civil Rights Conspiracy and Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act Offenses for Obstructing Access to a Reproductive Health Services Facility https://t.co/izlEKGx2ak@DCPoliceDept @FBIPittsburgh @USAO_DC

— FBI Washington Field (@FBIWFO) September 18, 2023

Judy Morris explained: “Pro-life activists convicted of ‘felony conspiracy’ for protesting in front of abortion clinics, face 11 years in prison.”

Pro-life activists convicted of 'felony conspiracy' for protesting in front of abortion clinics, face 11 years in prison

"Due to convictions of a felony conspiracy against rights as well as a violation of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE), defendants Jonathan… pic.twitter.com/4jIGGBfUh7

— judy morris (@judymorris3) September 18, 2023

According to Breitbart:

During the blockade some activists “simply kneeled and prayed…some passed out pro-life literature and counseled abortion-minded women, and others roped and chained themselves together inside the facility,” attorneys for Lauren Handy, PAAU’s director of activism and one of the five activists found guilty in August, previously said of the incident.

Many, including this user, expressed outrage at the recent conviction: “The DOJ deemed this peaceful Christian 74-year-old woman as a violent threat to society! DO YOU SEE IT YET?”

https://twitter.com/DIDYMUS1963/status/1703846423492477425

‘I can love God in prison,’ Bell told the court during her opening statement. Sources claim she was barred from making a closing statement.

‘I can love God in prison’: Full statement of pro-lifer Joan Andrews Bell jailed in DC FACE Act trial
Rescuer Joan Andrews Bell went to her trial with two statements that she was not permitted to read in their entirety.https://t.co/m7ufNimmEw

— Catholicus Romanus ✝🙏🛡️⚔️ 🇺🇸🇧🇷🇦🇺🇳🇿🇮🇪 ☕ (@CatholicusRoma1) September 18, 2023

Fox News reports:

U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, who presided over the trial of Marshall, Bell and Darnel, ordered all three defendants immediately detained as required by statute.