The annual March for Life takes place this Friday in Washington, D.C. This is an event that pro-lifers from across the country eagerly anticipate. There are nine brave pro-life activists that will not be in attendance this year. Lauren Handy, Herb Geraghty, Will Goodman, Heather Idoni, John Hinshaw, Joan Andrews Bell, Jonathan Darnel, and Jean Marshall are currently in jail. They were found guilty of violating the FACE Act in connection with a 2020 rescue at a D.C. abortion facility run by notorious late-term-abortion doctor Cesare Santangelo. Additionally, Paulette Harlow is under house arrest for her involvement in the same rescue.
The individuals who took part in the rescue were certainly well aware that they were engaging in civil disobedience and might face jail time. However, several aspects of both the trial and the sentencing should certainly concern fair-minded people. First, the jury in Washington, D.C., was very biased in favor of legal abortion. Thomas More Society attorney Martin Cannon, who assisted with the legal defense of the rescuers, said that, of the 125 people in the jury pool, there might have been three who identified as pro-life. Furthermore, Cannon said that at least four of the jurors were monthly donors to Planned Parenthood.
Attorneys defending the rescuers were not allowed to present evidence of misconduct by abortion doctor Cesare Santangelo. In March 2022, Handy and pro-life activist Terrisa Bukovinac recovered the remains of over 150 aborted babies outside Santangelo’s facility. Five of these unborn children were fully formed, and there is evidence that one was the victim of an illegal partial-birth abortion. Others were of a sufficient gestational age that they might have been born alive and left to die. A 2013 Live Action undercover video shows Santangelo saying that if an abortion resulted in a live birth “we would not help it.” None of this evidence was allowed to be presented at the trial.
Additionally, eight of the rescuers were sent to jail before their formal sentencing. This was vigorously contested and appealed by pro-life attorneys from the Thomas More Society. Cannon indicated that it is rare for someone found guilty of a nonviolent offense to be jailed prior to sentencing. Furthermore, the sentencing for the rescuers will take place on May 14 — over eight months after the first group of rescuers were sent to jail. Cannon was of the opinion that the jail time for some of the rescuers might exceed their recommended sentence.
There are several ways that interested pro-lifers can assist the incarcerated rescuers. The rescuers are able to receive both U.S. postal mail and electronic messages. In some cases, donations can be made to their prison commissary accounts. Interested pro-lifers can also write letters to Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly to request a lenient sentence. The website Garland9.org contains specific details about ways that pro-lifers can help the incarcerated rescuers
This weekend, pro-lifers should remember these missing marchers. These nine pro-lifers courageously risked their own freedom in attempt to defend the weakest and most vulnerable among us. Not all pro-lifers are called to engage in civil disobedience. However, this year, we should all be inspired by their example and step up our efforts. Whether it is sidewalk counseling, donating to a pregnancy help center, or assisting a pregnant woman in need, there is no shortage of ways we can all help build a culture of life. Wise words to consider as pro-lifers return home from this year’s March for Life.