From left: John Hinshaw, Jonathan Darnel, Lauren Handy, Joan Bell, and Jean Marshall are among the pro-life activists who are still in prison or awaiting prison sentences on federal charges brought by President Joe Biden’s Department of Justice for protests at abortion clinics — but President-elect Donald Trump has signaled he will likely grant them presidential pardons. / Credit: Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Nov 21, 2024 / 14:05 pm (CNA).

More than a dozen pro-life activists are still in prison or awaiting sentences on federal charges brought by President Joe Biden’s Department of Justice (DOJ) for protests at abortion clinics — but President-elect Donald Trump has signaled he will likely grant them presidential pardons.

Under the current administration, the DOJ increased its prosecution of pro-life activists under the 1994 Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act. The legislation was designed to increase penalties for people who obstruct access to abortion clinics or pregnancy resource centers.

During Biden’s tenure as president, the DOJ has brought FACE Act charges against more than 30 people who took part in pro-life protests at abortion clinics. Most of the charges were linked to four demonstrations: in Nashville, Tennessee; Mount Juliet, Tennessee; Washington, D.C.; and Sterling Heights, Michigan.

Some protesters were spared prison sentences, but several have been sentenced to at least two years in federal prison, with the longest being four years and nine months. Several of those who are imprisoned are senior citizens, and many are Catholic.

Trump promises to review cases of pro-lifers

On at least two occasions, Trump has signaled his intent to pardon pro-life activists who are incarcerated for protests at abortion clinics. 

In September 2023, Trump criticized the conviction of five pro-life activists in Washington, D.C.: “Marxists and Stalinists in the administration got a Washington, D.C., jury to convict five pro-life activists who are now facing up to 11 years in prison for simple acts of protest.”

Trump added that he would “rapidly review the cases of every political prisoner who’s been unjustly persecuted by the Biden administration ... so that I can study the situation very quickly and sign their pardons or commutations on Day 1.”

In June of this year, Trump raised the issue again and specifically referenced one of the elderly activists, Paulette Harlow, who is incarcerated for her part in the Washington, D.C., protest. He made the comments during a speech to the Faith and Freedom Coalition. 

Trump said he would “rapidly review the cases of every political prisoner who’s unjustly victimized by the Biden regime, including Paulette, so we can get them out of the gulags and back to their families where they belong.” Trump said he would take action “immediately” on the “first day.”

Below are some of the prisoners who could benefit from Trump’s anticipated pardons.

Paulette Harlow, 75 years old, 24 months in prison

Paulette Harlow, a Catholic pro-life activist, was sentenced to two years in prison for her role in the Washington, D.C., protest. She was convicted of participating in a “blockade” at an abortion clinic in which the group blocked two doors, according to the DOJ. A video of the incident shows some protesters praying and singing hymns while blocking the doors.

She was sentenced in May at 75 years old. 

Harlow suffers from several medical conditions. While speaking with CNA in June, she said the hardest part of going to prison is leaving her husband, but she said it is an “honor to work and stand up before the unborn.”

“I’m heartbroken for all of us,” Harlow said. “I’m heartbroken for America. I really am.” 

Jean Marshall, 74 years old, 24 months in prison

Jean Marshall, a pro-life nurse, was also sentenced to two years in prison for participating in the Washington, D.C., protest. She was 74 years old when she was convicted in May. 

Marshall, who also suffers from health issues, told CNA in June that the penalty is exacerbating her health problems. She said “I’m just there to save the child” and “it is the right thing to do at the right time.” 

She also expressed joy over the support she received and at getting more than 150 letters: “Talking to my sister she told me: ‘Jean, thousands of people are praying for you. And I said, ‘Well, if I don’t become a saint after this, then shame on me. I really do need those prayers.’”

Joan Bell, 76 years old, 27 months in prison

Joan Bell, a mother of seven and grandmother of seven, received a slightly longer sentence of 27 months in prison for her involvement in the Washington, D.C., protest. She was 76 years old at the time she was convicted. 

Bell’s husband, Chris, told CNA in June that he is offering up the pain of being separated from his wife in reparation for the sin of abortion. He said the separation is “incredibly disorienting” and that his wife “should be here because, in a just society, she would be appropriately applauded. And in an unjust society, she is condemned. And so we’re all condemned.”

“One day at a time, one prayer at a time, I’m getting through,” he said. “It’s a very unusual position to be in at this point in our lives because I rely on her a lot for the family. Even though our children are not children, they’re young adults, still, it’s a very active and big family. And I’m missing my better half.”

John Hinshaw, 69 years old, 21 months in prison

John Hinshaw, who also took part in the Washington, D.C., protest, was given 21 months — nearly two years in prison. He was 69 years old when he was convicted in May. 

Hinshaw addressed the court upon his sentencing, which was posted on X by Live Action president Lila Rose. 

“How is it that my granddaughter is a treasure, and the others are trash?” Hinshaw said. “There is a reason why today’s Gospel reading is to lay down one’s life for his friends. This is not a coincidence.”

“I am sorry to this generation that it has lost a third of its own to abortion,” he continued. “... I stand convicted, though guiltless.”

Lauren Handy, 30 years old, 4 years and 9 months in prison

Lauren Handy, a longtime activist with the Progressive Anti-Abortion Uprising, was handed a sentence of four years and nine months in prison, the longest sentence out of all of the pro-life activists. According to the DOJ, she “directed” the Washington, D.C., protest. 

She was convicted in May at the age of 30.

Handy posted on X that she intended to continue her pro-life activism and rejects “the use of fear and shame from outside and inside forces as a means to hold us back from loving preborn people as our equals.”

“I reject calls to temper passionate responses to egregious acts of violence,” Handy said. “I embrace courage over comfort and right over easy. I embrace the uncertainty in a future full of hope. I embrace tenderness, joy, and love for my preborn neighbors.” 

Jonathan Darnel, 42 years old, 2 years and 10 months in prison

Jonathan Darnel, who filmed the Washington, D.C., protest, was sentenced to nearly three years in prison. The DOJ listed Darnel as one of the “leaders” of the protest, along with Handy. 

He was 42 years old when he was sentenced in May.

Darnel told CNA last September that the blockade prevented the clinic from operating for about four hours, “so we hope that some of those children were saved.” He said he planned to continue his pro-life ministry while in prison: “Hopefully I can still be a good witness to them in one way or another.” 

“FACE is a crime, but it shouldn’t be a crime because abortion shouldn’t be tolerated,” he said, adding that “it’s an honor to be taken like so many others.”

In total, 10 people were sentenced to prison for FACE Act violations for participating in the Washington, D.C., protest. All received prison time.

Eva Edl, 89 years old, awaiting sentence

Eva Edl, who survived a communist concentration camp in the former Soviet-controlled Yugoslavia, is awaiting her sentence for her role in a protest at an abortion clinic in Sterling Heights, Michigan.

She was 89 years old when she was convicted in August. According to the DOJ, she sat in front of an entrance with a doorstop wedged under the door to prevent it from being opened. 

This is Edl’s second FACE Act conviction this year. She was also convicted for her role in the protest at an abortion clinic in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. She was given three years’ probation in that case.

Many of the others who participated in the Michigan protest are awaiting sentencing. Seven people were convicted.

Bevelyn Beatty Williams, 33 years old, 3 years and 5 months in prison

Bevelyn Beatty Williams, a young mother of a 2-year-old girl, was sentenced to nearly three and a half years in prison for protesting inside an abortion clinic in New York City. According to the DOJ, she pressed her body against a door to hold it closed, which injured the hand of a staff member.

She was 33 years old when she was sentenced in July.

For a fundraiser on GiveSendGo, Williams said she “was persecuted as a Christian standing for my beliefs when it comes to life.”

“I am appealing my case, fighting for my freedom, and trying to support my family during this time of [crisis],” Williams said. “We will fight this case all the way to the Supreme Court if that’s what it takes.”

Her fundraiser received more than $328,000 in contributions. 

Is there a double standard?

Despite the prosecution of pro-life activists, most attacks on pro-life pregnancy centers, pro-life organizations, and churches — of which there have been more than 100 — have gone unsolved in the past four years.

Attorney General Merrick Garland has claimed the disparity is because pro-life activists have conducted their protests “during the daylight” and the pro-abortion activists waged attacks “at night in the dark.” 

Several Republican Congressmen have raised concerns about the disparity and a group of conservative organizations are in an ongoing legal battle with the DOJ to obtain documents related to their investigations into the attacks on pro-life pregnancy centers and churches.