At this facility an investigator from my organization, Live Action, recorded Santangelo describing—in his own words—his willingness to withhold medical care from infants born alive after a botched abortion, a violation of federal law. This investigation has inspired thousands to take action to defend innocent human life and protect children from abortion, including five pro-life activists who have been convicted of conspiracy to interfere with civil rights and violations of the FACE Act in connection with a rescue action at the Surgi-Clinic abortion facility in October 2020.

Facing over 10 years in federal prison, Lauren Handy, Will Goodman, John Hinshaw, Heather Idoni, and Herb Geraghty are currently detained in prison without bail as they await sentencing. This trial was a sham and made a mockery of our justice system. These activists are heroes who used nonviolent direct action to strive for justice, and the Biden Department of Justice (DOJ) has acted capriciously and illegitimately. For justice to prevail, this decision must be appealed and overturned, Congress must conduct vigorous oversight of the DOJ, and ultimately, the FACE Act must be repealed.

[I’d support keeping the FACE Act in place if it were enforced equally, ie, with those attacking pro-life facilities were investigated and prosecuted as vigorously. Under Joe Biden’s DoJ and Merrick Garland’s leadership, however, only pro-lifers get prosecuted — and have the book thrown at them. If this law can’t be enforced in an even-handed manner, then it needs to be repealed and let local law enforcment deal with these issues — which is what should have been done in the first place. — Ed]