DOJ Sues Christian Activist For Philly Clinic Blockade

September 2, 2024 Christianists, Crime

From the Justice Department reports:

The Justice Department filed a civil lawsuit today in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against a man for violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act.

The FACE Act is a federal statute that prohibits use of force, threats of force or physical obstruction against anyone for seeking or providing reproductive health services.

The lawsuit alleges that, on Aug. 27, 2021, Matthew Connolly violated the FACE Act by intentionally creating a physical obstruction at a reproductive health clinic in Philadelphia.

In particular, the complaint alleges that the defendant, after entering the clinic, barricaded himself inside one of the clinic’s bathrooms and that his actions forced the clinic to shut down for the day, requiring the intervention of the local police.

As a result, at least 44 appointments had to be re-scheduled. The complaint seeks monetary penalties and injunctive relief as provided by the FACE Act.

The Christian Post reports:

The lawsuit identifies Red Rose Rescue as “an anti-abortion group that organizes events across the country in which participants trespass on the property of reproductive health facilities and refuse to leave voluntarily in order to cause the facilities to stop operating.”

Red Rose Rescue took responsibility for orchestrating the events that unfolded at the Philadelphia Planned Parenthood in a post published a week later, expressing gratitude that “Due to the Red Rose Rescue, no unborn children were killed at this PP clinic.”

According to the legal filing, Connolly has been arrested at least eight times by police in at least four states. He has been charged with several violations, including trespassing, resisting arrest and interference with a business. He has four convictions on his record.

What about criminal charges?



Tags

© joemygod.com 2024