Published on October 6, 2024, 12:34 am

Image source: Fox News

At the recent 2024 Pray, Vote, Stand Summit organized by The Family Research Council, a pertinent discussion titled “Kamala Harris’ Attacks on Life and the Family” raised alarms about the oppressive environment that may potentially await advocates of pro-life should Vice President Kamala Harris win the presidential election. This controversial dialogue took place at the Omni Shoreham Hotel over a period of days populated with assorted programming.

The conversation centered on recent actions taken against pro-life activists under the Biden-Harris administration. Moderated by Mary Szoch from The FRC’s Center for Human Dignity, it focused on real-world accounts like that of Mark Houck, a renowned pro-life activist who courted headlines after his Pennsylvania residence was subjected to an invasive FBI raid two years ago.

Houck’s account depicted numerous marked and unmarked units surrounding his property. He recalled that five federal agents armed with M-16 rifles and armored vests encroached his home while he found himself facing two battering rams, accompanied by around twenty to twenty-five federal agents and PA State Troopers.

His ordeal continued as law enforcement declared their intention to apprehend him with or without official warrants, adding that they even woke up sleeping children in order to arrest their father under gunpoint – an experience he likens to living under tyrannical dictatorship. His treatment bespoke despotic power dynamics rather than being reflective of contemporary government practices in democratic surroundings.

Despite being held in custody for ten hours chained to a table before finally being released at his own recognizance – authorities eventually acknowledging him as neither violent offender nor flight risk – Houck recognized this form of intimidation as an attempt by the state apparatus designed to suppress dissent through humiliation and dissemination of fear. He has since initiated legal action against the incumbent administration alongside his wife.

Simultaneously with Houck’s confrontation with authority on that day, The U.S Justice Departement also announced Houck’s indictment for alleged violation of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act. However, a counter-narrative surfaced through GiveSendGo, a fundraiser that tactically differed in its rendition of the incident.

While there is real news as per authorities maintaining that Houck assaulted a volunteer escort at a reproductive health clinic twice and pushed him to the ground, trusted sources note that Houck actually was trying to protect his then twelve-year-old son from being targeted by abortion clinic escorts who followed them away from the building and harassed them.

A trial ensued, consequently finding Houck not guilty on federal charges, saving him from serving up to 11 years sentence but leaving his family grappling with symptoms similar to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Panelists reiterated two key propositions: one, how this stark episode underscores what we might expect under Biden-Harris DOJ should Harris be elected. Second, it highlights how actions of the current administration went beyond just individuals at the top ticket; it involved comprehensive policy changes such as removing safety regulations surrounding abortion drug mifepristone or refusing to enforce The Comstock Act preventing transmission of abortion-inducing drugs through mail order.

As Szoch initiated clear calls for fairness in FACE Act enforcement due to blatant double standards perceptible in pro-abortion and pro-life activism’s treatment, the panel discussion made an indelible impact on establishing how important the Christian worldview becomes within these charged conversations surrounding pro-life activism. Indeed, next administration’s ability and willingness to engage with this discourse with flexibility rather than hostility is emerging as an important attribute factoring into informed public choice during elections.