In a move celebrated by many in the pro-life community, former President Donald Trump fulfilled a campaign promise by pardoning 23 pro-life activists on Thursday. These pardons, signed in the Oval Office, were announced just one day before the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C.
The pardons were granted after the Thomas More Society, a religious liberty law firm, petitioned for clemency on behalf of 21 individuals. These activists had been arrested under the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act and a related “Conspiracy Against Rights” statute for participating in peaceful protests at abortion clinics.
“These peaceful pro-life Americans mistreated by [President Joe] Biden include grandparents, pastors, a Holocaust survivor, and a Catholic priest — all are selfless, sincere patriots,” the petition stated, according to the Thomas More Society.
During his 2024 presidential campaign, Trump had vowed on at least two occasions to release pro-life activists who were imprisoned for their actions. His decision brought relief to families and supporters of these individuals, many of whom were described as elderly or in poor health.
Steve Crampton, senior counsel for the Thomas More Society, emphasized the integrity of those pardoned, stating, “These 21 peaceful pro-lifers, many of whom are currently imprisoned for bravely standing up for unborn life, are upstanding citizens and pillars of their communities.”
Disparity in Enforcement
The FACE Act, enacted in the 1990s, was designed to increase penalties for obstructing access to abortion clinics or pro-life pregnancy resource centers. However, under the Biden administration, enforcement of the law was uneven, according to the Thomas More Society.
While charges were brought against more than 30 pro-life demonstrators during President Biden’s tenure, only two cases were pursued regarding attacks on pro-life pregnancy centers, despite over 100 incidents of firebombing and vandalism targeting such facilities.
“While Biden’s prosecutors almost entirely ignored the firebombing and vandalism of hundreds of pro-life churches and pregnancy centers, they viciously pursued pro-life Americans,” the Thomas More Society petition argued.
Harsh Sentences for Peaceful Protest
Among those pardoned were activists like Lauren Handy and Bevelyn Beatty Williams, who received some of the longest sentences. Handy was sentenced to four years and nine months in prison for her participation in a protest in Washington, D.C., while Williams received three years and five months for an event in New York City.
Several other activists in their 70s also faced multiyear sentences, prompting advocates to call for compassion and leniency.
A Pro-Life Victory
For the pro-life community, the pardons represent a victory and a recognition of their efforts to protect unborn life. As the nation continues to grapple with the moral and legal complexities surrounding abortion, Trump’s actions have reignited discussions about the role of peaceful protest and the enforcement of laws like the FACE Act.
This story, first reported by the Thomas More Society, continues to develop as the pardoned activists return to their communities, emboldened by the support they’ve received from leaders like Trump.