Paulette Harlow, a 75-year-old pro-life activist, was recently handed a two-year prison sentence.
Her sentence stems from her involvement in a prayer vigil outside a Washington D.C. abortion clinic, considered a violation of federal law.
Last Friday, Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly concluded that Harlow’s actions outside the clinic on October 22, 2020, breached the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act.
This legislation explicitly bars obstructive behaviors aimed at impeding reproductive health services. Harlow’s husband, John, fears that her incarceration could be gravely detrimental, stating she might not survive the prison term without his support.
The Western Journal criticized the verdict, stating:
Why can’t it be bothered to go after countless left-wing activists who plague our streets and harass us with destruction of property, violence, and murder? When rioters and terrorists take to the streets, they are celebrated as champions of all that is good. These are the real criminals the DOJ should pursue. Americans praying that children are not murdered should not land high on its list of priorities.
Michael Nordwall, Assistant Director of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, and Kristen Clarke, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, emphasized the importance of upholding laws like the FACE Act. They argue that such enforcement ensures uninterrupted access to reproductive health services.
John Harolow's distress over his wife's situation is palpable. He voiced a heartbreaking concern about the potential consequences of her imprisonment: "My wife will die behind bars without my care." This sentiment highlights the personal cost of legal battles over public access and protest.
Judicial proceedings against Paulette Harlow were tied to a broader incident where a group allegedly blocked access to the clinic, some even disguising their motives by posing as patients. This major blockade was part of the activities that led to multiple arrests, implying a coordinated attempt to disrupt the clinic’s operations.
Before Harlow was sentenced, other activists involved in the blockade were also dealt with legally, indicating a systematic approach to such violations. Seven other individuals associated with the clinic blockade received their sentences a day before Harlow as part of the Department of Justice’s broader strategy to tackle infringements related to reproductive health protests.
The Department of Justice's rigorous pursuit of FACE Act violators underscored its commitment to legal compliance over ideological or religious motives.
"FACE Act violations are distressing to anyone attempting to safely access reproductive healthcare," said Nordwall. This statement was part of the government’s broader narrative stressing the importance of unbiased access to healthcare amidst increasing protests.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke reinforced the DOJ's stance by stating, "The Justice Department will continue to protect both patients seeking reproductive health services and providers of those services. We will hold accountable those who seek to interfere with access to reproductive health services in our country."
In summary, Paulette Harlow’s incarceration reiterates the complexities involved in balancing legal frameworks with individual actions and beliefs. It serves as a reminder of the ongoing debates surrounding reproductive rights and the extent of legal limits on protest actions in sensitive societal sectors.
