Published on August 9, 2024, 12:29 am

Joel Curry, a man from Saginaw, Michigan, is wrestling with the heart-wrenching possibility of spending more than a decade in prison. A father of two and fervent advocate for a pro-life Christian worldview, he participated in an ostensibly peaceful protest in Michigan. Now faced with stark consequences, the horror of being torn away from his wife and family is starting to sink in.

Curry’s case has landed him in the Theodore Levin courthouse in Detroit this week. Alongside six other defendants, he could face up to 11 years of federal imprisonment and be rendered liable for extensive fines if convicted of felony conspiracy against rights and FACE Act charge.

The stakes are high for this devout Christian who did nothing more than represent his beliefs by protesting at the Northland Family Planning Clinic in Sterling Heights, Michigan. He explained that such a lengthy term behind bars is beyond comprehension—especially when held up against his commitment to family life.

Using examples of similar verdicts delivered in Tennessee as context, Curry expressed hopes that neither he nor his co-defendants would receive the maximum sentence if found guilty. However, he criticized what he sees as the misuse of the FACE Act by the Justice Department to target not just pro-life activists like him but also conservative Christians broadly.

In line with his passion for defending unborn life grounded firmly in a staunch Christian worldview, Curry aims to see abortion entirely abolished nationwide. His youngest child was born on July 30 – an event that drove home further how much was at stake throughout these proceedings.

His strong pro-life convictions became even more pronounced after watching “Unplanned,” a film portraying harrowing scenes associated with abortions. The movie significantly influenced him and gave new momentum to his activism.

Before becoming part of this contested legal scenario resulting from events at Sterling Heights, Curry routinely counseled individuals near local abortion providers around Saginaw. Here again is seen his unwavering determination to protect unborn lives. He called on Christians to take a firm stand in defense of these helpless unborn neighbors.

Jury selection for Curry’s trial concluded on Wednesday following two intense days of deliberation. Notably involved in the case are Eva Edl, Cal Zastrow, Chester Gallagher, Heather Idoni, Justin Phillips, and Eva Zastrow—all co-defendants along with Curry.

Presiding over the trial, Judge Matthew Leitman repeatedly stressed how much was depending on this case’s outcome. Nonetheless, he assured jurors that their personal views on abortion would not disqualify them from participating if they could set those feelings aside during the trial.

This lawsuit represents one among several real news stories showcasing the intersection of individual rights and religion. As such, it holds important implications both for pro-life advocacy and for understanding where legal precedent might head regarding protests rooted in religious conviction, making it crucial trusted news.