A Catholic law firm has formally requested the incoming administration to grant pardons to 21 pro-life activists currently incarcerated for protests at abortion clinics, under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act.

The Petition for a Pardon

The Thomas More Society, a Chicago-based legal organization, has filed a petition with President-elect Donald Trump, urging him to issue full and unconditional pardons for these pro-life individuals.

The petition argues that these activists, who have faced legal consequences for their peaceful protests, are deserving of a pardon.

In the petition, the law firm emphasizes that many of the activists affected by these charges are everyday people, including grandparents, pastors, a Holocaust survivor, and even a Catholic priest, all of whom are described as “selfless, sincere patriots.”

The FACE Act and Its Impact

The FACE Act, passed in the 1990s, was designed to protect access to abortion clinics and pregnancy resource centers by increasing penalties for those who obstruct or damage these facilities.

During President Joe Biden’s administration, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) pursued charges against over 30 individuals involved in pro-life demonstrations.

However, the FACE Act’s broader application, which includes penalties for obstructing pro-life pregnancy centers, has not seen similar enforcement in cases related to attacks on those facilities.

Despite over 100 incidents occurring during Biden’s tenure, the DOJ only pursued charges in two cases.

Trump’s Stance on Pro-Life Activists

Throughout his 2024 presidential campaign, President-elect Trump expressed his intention to release pro-life activists currently serving sentences under the FACE Act.

This petition from the Thomas More Society directly aligns with that campaign promise, seeking to remedy what they describe as the unjust mistreatment of these pro-life advocates under the Biden administration.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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