Posted on 01/30/2023 5:18:52 PM PST by NorthMountain
Catholic pro-life activist Mark Houck was found not guilty Monday of federal charges alleging he violated the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act.
A Pennsylvania federal grand jury indicted Houck for allegations that he assaulted an abortion clinic volunteer, Bruce Love, in Philadelphia in September 2022. Federal officials claimed that Houck violated the FACE Act by using “force with the intent to injure, intimidate, and interfere with anyone because that person is a provider of reproductive health care.”
Following a jury deadlock that delayed its decision, Houck was acquitted of both charges of violations of the FACE Act.
“This is a win not just for the pro-life movement and Mark but for free speech and every single American,” 40 Days for Life’s general counsel, Matt Britton, said in a statement provided to the Daily Caller. “The federal government trumped up charges months after a local case had been dismissed. If the feds had prevailed, every argument in front of every abortion facility, no matter the subject, could result in federal charges.”
“The feds tried to make a point that they would not tolerate pro-life speech and tried to make Mark an example that they would charge and intimidate pro-lifers, all while claiming that they represent democracy and free speech. But not today. The system worked, and justice prevailed.”
At least 15 agents stormed Houck’s home while pointing their weapons at the 48-year-old, his wife and seven children in October, according to his wife. His children allegedly begged the agents not to arrest their father as the FBI surrounded the house in the early morning hours.
Today, a jury will decide the fate of a Catholic father of 7 who was raided by armed FBI agents for allegedly violating the FACE Act.
Mark Houck is accused of pushing an abortion clinic volunteer, but he argues he was protecting his 12-year-old son from abuse. @DailyCaller pic.twitter.com/2ReiECxKIX
— Sarah Weaver 💍 (@SarahHopeWeaver) January 30, 2023
Houck, who pleaded not guilty to the charges in September, contends he was defending his 12-year-old son from verbal harassment and pushed away Love in the process, the Catholic News Agency reported. Legal counsel for 40 Days for Life, where Mark Houck participates, tells the Daily Caller that the FACE Act does not apply to volunteer escorts such as Love and that on both occasions leading to the charges Love approached Houck down the block from the abortion facility, not outside the abortion clinic. In the second incident, legal counsel says the altercation was not about abortion, as required for a FACE violation, but Love’s abusive behavior towards Houck’s 12-year-old son.
Some attorneys have expressed concern that the Biden administration is “weaponizing” the FACE Act to go after pro-life Americans.
WTF did the FBI have to do with the case, anyway. Will they be arresting purse snatchers next?
What about the PA grand jury? They should be arrested and thrown in jail.
PRAYERS ANSWERED!! NOW SUE!
He PUSHED someone and he got FEDERAL CHARGES and a RAID on his home!!! omg....GESTAPO!
He’s on now with Bannon.
He “pushed” a freak that was harassing his son. NO charges were justified, least of all Federal.
IIRC, the “victim” said something vile to the man’s 12-year-old, and in response the defendant gave the man a shove. The FBI then came after the defendant in full SWAT-style force at his home. This is a prime example of lawfare to intimidate opponents. Neither side originally acted with perfect grace, but this should never have been a legal matter to begin with.
Biden is an enemy of the people.
The local authorities told the whiny abortionist to pound sand.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.