Pro-life activist acquitted in Pennsylvania

January 31, 2023

Pro-life activist Mark Houck was acquitted in Pennsylvania and will not face an 11-year prison sentence on charges that he shoved an abortion escort outside a clinic.

Houck, 48, was accused of violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, a nebulous law that attempts to protect abortion facilities from any intimidation or interference.

The alleged assault took place on October 13, 2021 outside Philadelpia's Planned Parenthood location. Prosecutors charge that Houck "forcefully shoved" Bruce Love, a 72-year-old volunteer.

In September 2022, multiple FBI agents showed up to arrest Houck at his home, a very unusual and disproportionate response that his lawyer Peter Breen called an "outrageous abuse of power."

"The message from the Biden Department of Justice is pure intimidation against pro-life people and people of faith," said Breen, senior counsel of the Thomas More Society. "Why in the world would you send this phalanx of officers heavily armed to this family's home, violate the sanctity of their home, frighten their children? Why would you do that, other than just to send a message?

Others have also been arrested for violating the FACE Act just for being present at an abortion facility, making it seem like the Biden administration is using the law to persecute pro-life citizens.