The Department of Justice (DOJ) under Biden launched a new lawsuit on Thursday against five pro-life activists accused of obstructing access to an abortion clinic.
Three of the activists were previously convicted this year in Tennessee on charges related to the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act; a 1990s law that has been heavily criticized in recent months over it allegedly disproportionately targeting pro-lifers.
The DOJ’s latest lawsuit names Calvin Zastrow, Kenneth Scott, Eva Zastrow, Katelyn Sims and Chester Gallagher.
It alleges the five “trespassed onto a reproductive health center’s property, blocked the entrances and temporarily stopped operations at the center.”
The lawsuit also alleges the defendants created a “temporary halt of operations” back in January, 2022, at the Planned Parenthood Fort Myers Health Center in Florida.
It claims one of the protesters yelled “they are killing babies inside and you are not doing anything about it” when police arrived on site.
Other outcries included “baby murderer” and “you’re going to hell,” per the DOJ.
U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida said in a statement, “The Justice Department ensures that individuals cannot pick which laws they wish to follow.”
“We look forward to continuing to protect the rights of patients and providers to access reproductive health care.”
The DOJ is seeking an injunction in addition to “a civil penalty on Defendants of not more than $20,516 for first violations and not more than $30,868 for subsequent violations.”
It also seeks “damages in the amount of $5,000.00 for each person aggrieved.”
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 2.
Calvin Zastrow and Gallagher face up to 10 years in prison for their previous Tennessee conviction, while Eva Zastrow could see six months in jail with fines up to $10,000.
Pro-life activists and organizations have taken aim at the DOJ’s alleged “weaponization” of the FACE act.
Pro-Life Global President Bethany Janzen, for example, recently said, “The FACE Act has been disproportionately and unjustly weaponized to target pro-life advocates.”
Her organization has also argued that the act disproportionately targets pro-life activists, citing 126 charges against them compared to only three for pro-abortion activists as of May.
Pro-life activist Lauren Handy also garnered attention on the topic after she was sentenced to nearly 5 years in prison for an abortion clinic blockage.
The DOJ requested in a sentencing memorandum that the judge sentence Handy to six and half years, while her attorneys requested only one year.
Utah Senator Mike said of Handy’s sentence: “The Biden administration is using the FACE Act to give pro-life activists and senior citizens lengthy prison terms for non-violent offenses and protests—all while turning a blind eye to the violence, arson, and riots conducted on behalf of ‘approved’ leftist causes.”
“Unequal enforcement of the law is a violation of the law, and men and women who try to expose the horrors of abortion are being unjustly persecuted for their motivations,” he added in his statement to the Daily Signal.
Texas Rep. Chip Roy also called for a repeal of the FACE Act following the sentencing of Handy.
“Today’s outrageous 57-month sentence for a progressive pro-life activist is a stark reminder: Biden’s DOJ is fully weaponized against pro-life American citizens, and they are using the FACE Act to do it,” he said.
“House Republicans should defund the DOJ weaponization, repeal the FACE Act, and stand up for the freedoms that we campaign on.”
