The Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against two Christian anti-abortion organizations and seven of their members. The lawsuit alleges that these groups obstructed access to two reproductive health clinics in northeast Ohio in June 2021.
Citizens for a Pro Life Society and Red Rose Rescue face allegations of violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act. Federal prosecutors are seeking compensatory damages, monetary penalties, and injunctive relief.
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“Preventing individuals from accessing reproductive healthcare and physically impeding providers from offering their services are violations of the law,” stated Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division on Monday.
According to federal prosecutors, the defendants hindered two Ohio reproductive healthcare facilities from delivering essential reproductive healthcare services to their patients.
A complaint was filed on Monday in the Northern District of Ohio, accusing the defendants of both planning and participating in two coordinated Red Rose Rescue events. These events specifically targeted reproductive healthcare facilities in Ohio, with one taking place on June 4, 2021, and the other occurring the following day.
The Northeast Ohio Women’s Center in Cuyahoga Falls was the target of a deliberate attack on June 4, as confirmed by federal prosecutors.
According to the document, Laura Gies and Clara McDonald entered the waiting room of the facility through a back door at approximately 11:26 a.m. They falsely claimed that they were there to receive reproductive healthcare.
Shortly after, Christopher Moscinski and Audrey Whipple, the defendants, arrived at the entrance of the facility. Together with the two accomplices, they proceeded to distribute roses to the patients in the waiting room. They specifically instructed these individuals to refrain from getting abortions, as mentioned in the document.
Gies pleaded, as mentioned in the complaint, “Kindly cease the act of killing innocent babies. I implore you to put an end to the dismemberment of innocent children.”
In an interview posted on Facebook, defendant Monica Miller shared that their strategy outside the facility was to “stall as long as possible.” She explained that, based on her experience, abortions are not performed as long as they remain on the premises.
According to the complaint, the police arrested Gies, McDonald, Moscinski, and Whipple at around noon and physically escorted them out of the facility. It was noted that these individuals had previously been convicted of trespassing on the premises in August 2021.
On June 5, 2021, Miller, Lauren Handy, and Jay Smith allegedly entered the Planned Parenthood facility, resulting in its temporary closure for the day.
Handy and Miller arrived at the facility’s private fenced-in parking lot just before 9 a.m. They proceeded to approach patients who were waiting in their cars. They even followed some patients as they got out of their vehicles, attempting to give them roses and anti-abortion brochures.
Smith entered the facility’s full waiting room and distributed brochures to the patients, according to the complaint.
According to the complaint, Smith allegedly used physical force against a patient by pushing him with his shoulder after the patient asked him to leave the facility.
Federal prosecutors state that the staff successfully relocated patients to a secure area within the facility and managed to escort Smith out into the parking lot.
Upon the arrival of the police, Smith reportedly informed the officers that he had entered the facility due to his belief that “babies are being killed inside.”
After being instructed by the officers to leave, Handy chose to kneel in front of the facility’s door, while Miller took the initiative to approach patients who were sitting in their cars. Miller physically positioned herself in a way that prevented a patient from getting out of their vehicle, while Handy decided to lie down on the ground right in front of BHSC’s entrance, making it clear that she had no intention of moving.
An unidentified member of the RRR group, wearing a mask, made their way into the parking lot. They were soon followed by another member, whose identity remains unknown.
The facility’s management was asked by a supervisor to close the facility for the day due to staffing shortage. Only three officers were on duty, including two who had arrested Handy and Miller and were in the process of transporting them to jail.
According to the document, the closure had an impact on a total of 24 patients. Out of these, nine had scheduled surgeries while the remaining 15 had consultation appointments.
According to court records, some of the defendants have a history of arrests for violating the FACE Act. For instance, Handy, who was recently sentenced on May 14, has been involved in a blockade of a reproductive healthcare clinic in Washington, D.C. As a result, Handy received a prison sentence of 57 months and three years of supervised release.
According to the U.S. Attorney Rebecca Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio, individuals in Ohio have the right to access facilities and make decisions about their own bodies, health, and futures. This right includes the freedom from force, threats of force, intimidation, or physical obstruction while consulting with healthcare providers.
If you have any information regarding possible violations of the FACE Act, we highly encourage you to reach out to our office.
