Pro-life activist Lauren Handy, along with several others, was sentenced to four years and nine months in federal prison and three years of supervised release for obstructing an abortion clinic in Washington, DC in 2020. Handy, who was convicted last year, faced charges under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act and “conspiracy against rights.” While prosecutors sought a longer sentence of up to six-and-a-half years, Handy’s defense team requested a more lenient 12-month sentence. The sentencing also included credit for time served.
Handy’s co-defendants were also sentenced for their involvement in the incident, with one receiving 21 months in federal prison. The remaining co-defendants were scheduled for sentencing in the following days. The activists were accused of blocking the entrance to the clinic and engaging in nonviolent protest to prevent abortions.
Despite arguments from Handy’s attorneys that the activists were peaceful and motivated by a desire to protect innocent lives, the court upheld the sentencing. The defense plans to appeal the conviction and challenge the constitutionality of the FACE Act.
The sentencing sparked criticism from pro-life advocates, who accused the Biden administration and the DOJ of targeting activists unfairly. The DOJ’s increased enforcement of the FACE Act has raised concerns about freedom of speech and peaceful protest.
In light of these developments, calls for the repeal of the FACE Act have intensified, with activists and lawmakers advocating for the removal of what they see as a tool used to suppress dissenting voices. The controversy surrounding the sentencing highlights the ongoing debate over abortion rights and the role of activism in influencing policy.
