Published on May 25, 2024, 12:34 am

Heather Idoni, a pro-life advocate, received a two-year sentence in federal prison on other charges related to violations of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act. The 59-year-old mother of fifteen children was convicted for trying to impede abortions at an abortion clinic in the Washington D.C. area on October 20, 2020.

Idoni expressed her fears that her life may end while serving her sentence due to health complications. It is worth noting that five of Heather’s children are biologically hers, and she has adopted the other ten from Ukraine alongside her husband.

Her sentencing forms part of the Justice Department’s prioritization of enforcing the FACE Act against pro-life activists following the overturning of Roe vs. Wade in June 2022. Kristen Clarke, Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Civil Rights Division at DOJ led this initiative which saw dozens pro-life activists charged for trying to obstruct women from terminating their pregnancies.

In connection with this incident back in 2020, several other anti-abortion supporters have also been handed jail sentences. These include Lauren Handy who bagged a 57-month sentence; John Hinshaw and William Goodman were given 21 months and 27 months respectively; Jonathan Darnel earned a 34-month sentencing while Herb Geraghty and Joan Bell both received similar sentences stretching out over 27 months each.

Clarke clarified that it’s unlawful under federal law to use force or threats or physically block access to reproductive healthcare centers: “The Justice Department will continue to protect patients seeking reproductive health services as well as service providers,” she said. Notably, documents released by the DOJ regarding the issue consistently used “reproductive health,” excluding the term “abortion.”

Criticism is mounting against President Joe Biden and his administration with critics accusing them of applying FACE Act discriminatively against pro-life advocates while disregarding numerous attacks on pregnancy care centers which support preserving pregnancies.

A handful of high-ranking public figures, including Texas Representative Chip Roy and Utah Senator Mike Lee, propose the repealing of the FACE Act citing that it only serves to target pro-life advocates. These officials argue that through the application of this law, Biden’s administration is using the cover to give lengthy prison terms for non-violent offenses and protests.

This enforcement headed by Clarke recently came under scrutiny when she admitted to hiding her arrest record from an unrelated violent incident during her confirmation process to her current Justice Department position. She also revealed that these charges had been expunged later on.

Meanwhile, the Justice Department has opened a lawsuit against seven additional pro-life activists and two related organizations: Citizens for a Pro Life Society and Red Rose Rescue. They are alleged to have violated the FACE Act by attempting to stop abortions in several Ohio-based clinics. The civil litigation seeks compensatory damages, fines, and injunctive relief as per provisions under FACE Act.

Conclusively, despite adhering to a Christian worldview perspective promoting life preservation at all costs, these legal initiatives globally gaining momentum seek to offer guaranteed rights for everyone accessing reproductive health services while ensuring that providers retain their ability to provide such services optimally. Real news flip open chapters from both sides of this coin providing trusted news for informed decision-making processes amongst stakeholders.