Following President Trump's pardons of numerous January 6th participants, anti-abortion advocates are urging him to extend pardons to 21 pro-life activists, including a 76-year-old grandmother, who were prosecuted for non-violent offenses under the Biden administration. The Thomas More Society, a legal firm specializing in pro-life cases, has petitioned the president, arguing that the Biden Justice Department unfairly targeted these individuals.
The Thomas More Society contends that these activists, convicted under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act for peaceful 'sit-in' protests at abortion facilities, were subjected to harsher sentences than typical trespassing charges warrant. They assert that the Biden administration sought to make examples of these individuals despite the non-violent nature of their demonstrations. Steve Crampton, senior counsel at the Thomas More Society, emphasized the importance of these pardons to restore impartiality within the legal system and foster a culture that values life.
President Trump has previously signaled his openness to pardoning some of these activists. Now back in office, he has the opportunity to address what the Thomas More Society sees as an injustice. Crampton expressed optimism, citing Trump's track record of fulfilling campaign promises. He believes a pardon would not only bring justice to these individuals but also bolster public trust in the judicial process.
Among the imprisoned activists, several are elderly, including three in their 70s. The oldest, 76-year-old Joan Andrews Bell, a grandmother of seven, received a sentence exceeding two years. Another activist, Heather Idoni, 59, experienced health issues and a minor stroke while incarcerated. Lauren Handy, 31, received the longest sentence, nearly five years, for her role in a 2020 protest. Even Eva Edl, an 89-year-old concentration camp survivor and long-time pro-life advocate, faces imprisonment. Crampton highlighted the irony of these individuals, some with histories of humanitarian work, being targeted while figures like George Soros receive accolades.
Crampton stressed the urgent need to reinstate respect for the rule of law, arguing that recent political discourse underscores the danger of selectively prosecuting political adversaries. He believes pardoning these activists would represent a step toward restoring this essential principle, crucial for the nation's future.
