In May of 1994 President Clinton signed into effect the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrance Act, or F.A.C.E. This law, also called The Access Act, was essentially put into place to immobilize the “Rescue Movement.”
Throughout the 80’s and into the 90’s the Rescue Movement played a vital role in the United States abortion battle. While peaceful in their approach, the Rescuers sometimes came out by the thousands to express their regard for human life. By simply placing themselves between pregnant women and the abortion facility entrance, these Christian heroes blocked the doors of death and rescued baby boys and girls, even when the children’s own mothers wished them to be terminated.
After the FACE law came into effect, the penalty for blocking an entrance increased greatly. What used to be a common misdemeanor quickly escalated into a federal offence, consisting of a much higher price to pay. For a first time offender of FACE, the sentence can be up to a year in prison and a $100,000 fine. For a second violation, the defendant can be imprisoned for at most three years and fined up to $250,000. While these are the maximum sentences available, lesser penalties can be permitted at the Judge’s discretion.
Regardless it’s a high price to pay.
Last week, Eva Edl, a concentration camp survivor, traveled around with me promoting the abolition of abortion in Indiana and the work of Hoosiers for Life. Eva talked about her experience as a prisoner in a concentration camp and the death of her father and loved ones. She compared the holocaust of her entire people group with the abortion holocaust happening now in our nation and captivated audiences wherever she went.
While talking to her in our down time, Eva remarked how if people in our country did not take a stand against abortion, then a higher price would be paid by those that do. In summary she was stating that because all of us do not do our part, a few of us will have to pay a much higher price.
Eva, now 82 years old, along with ten others, blocked the door to the last surgical abortion facility in Kentucky right after Mother’s Day of this year. They sat quietly singing songs and praying. They were all arrested willingly, and for the first time in nearly 15 years, regardless of what they faced, they boldly showed the nation an example of bravery and conviction.
On July 18th, 2017, the Federal Government filed FACE charges against Eva and the 10 Rescuers. This was always a possibility, and each person involved knew it, including 19-year-old Eva Zastrow, who told me the day before the pre-trial hearing that, “Rescuing ruined her.” As she explained further, I realized how deep this young girl’s heart yearned to save babies. Young Eva stated, “Before I wanted to rescue, but now I really want to rescue…how can I go to an abortion clinic now and not rescue?”
Another person charged with FACE is Tom Raddell. A hobby farmer and father of seven from Cleveland, Tom has done admirable work pertaining to saving the lives of children. In the early years of their efforts, Tom dug pieces of dead babies out of dumpsters and put them in tiny coffins in order to give them some dignity. His first rescue was in 1989, and he admitted that he had second thoughts as he sat in front of the clinic for the first time. However, as soon as he saw a woman and her boyfriend plowing through the crowd to kill the baby growing inside of her, he knew he was in the right place.
Tom stated, “We are called to love God and to love others. If I were going to be executed, I would want someone to stand in the gap for me.”
Tom is not being executed, but he and the others are facing some serious charges. The Federal Government can file these charges, but the people of this country have the power of change if we stand together.
How absurd for these eleven people to be charged with a federal offense, simply because they blocked the door to an abortion clinic. Had they blocked the door to a movie theater, a private home, or a grocery store, they would have been arrested and charged with a misdemeanor such as a trespassing violation. Yet, because they stood in the way of mothers murdering their own children, the Federal Government can add a steeper penalty. This should not be.
Eva Edl told me she stands up for the babies because no one stood up for her when she was in the concentration camp. Friends, let’s stand for Eva, for Tom, and for the others now. We can make a difference.
Join me, and sign the petition demanding that the FACE law be terminated and the charges against these dear people be dropped immediately!
Let’s do our part and let our pro-life administration know we expect to see them remove these stiff penalties that apply only to blocking the doors of killing facilities. Let’s do our part so these Rescuers, though willing to, won’t have such a high price to pay.