Steven Lefemine, a South Carolina man, was found guilty of violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act for blocking the entrance to an abortion clinic in November 2022.
He faces up to 6 months in prison and fines. The FACE Act prohibits interfering with reproductive healthcare services.
“We will protect South Carolinians’ right to peacefully protest, but we will also protect their right to access healthcare facilities,” said Adair F. Boroughs, U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina. “Lefemine’s protest became unlawful when he physically prevented patients from entering Planned Parenthood.”
11 pro-life activists have been indicted by Biden's DOJ for protesting outside an abortion clinic in Tennessee.
Meet the Christian memaws and papaws charged as "co-conspirators" now facing up to 11 years in federal prison for a peaceful "blockade" demonstration 🧵 pic.twitter.com/Drtoa4i2pk
— Mia Cathell (@MiaCathell) October 6, 2022
Lefemine admitted blocking the Planned Parenthood clinic doors to prevent abortions.
While the judge acknowledged Lefemine’s deeply held beliefs in civil disobedience, his actions became unlawful when access was denied.
“Anderson was referring to civil disobedience, whereby activists such as Martin Luther King Jr. have deliberately disobeyed laws they believed were immoral and suffered fines or jail to bring attention to their causes,” the report read.
“Several FBI agents were in the courtroom Monday but did not testify,” the report added.
Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the DOJ has charged more pro-life activists under FACE than pro-abortion ones, despite most threats targeting pro-life groups.
Republicans argue FACE is unconstitutional and targets those with pro-life views, renewing calls to repeal the law after several such convictions against activists.
“Free Americans should never live in fear of their government targeting them because of their beliefs. Yet, Biden’s Department of Justice has brazenly weaponized the FACE Act against normal, everyday Americans across the political spectrum, simply because they are pro-life,” Rep. Chip Roy said. “Our Constitution separates power between the federal government and the states for a reason, and we ignore that safeguard at our own peril. The FACE Act is an unconstitutional federal takeover of state police powers; it must be repealed.”
Lefemine and others could face lengthy prison terms. Former President Trump pledged to review cases of “political prisoners” charged under FACE.
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