DOJ sues Pennsylvania pro-life protester

The U.S. Department of Justice filed a federal lawsuit on Monday against a Pennsylvania man who allegedly forced a Philadelphia abortion facility to close early. The complaint accused Matthew Connolly of barricading himself inside one of the center’s bathrooms, resulting in the facility shutting down for the day and staff calling the police. The closure caused at least 44 patients to reschedule their appointments, according to a DOJ statement. Connolly made a calculated effort to shut down a reproductive health clinic for a day and obstructed access to its services, DOJ Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Kristen Clarke alleged.

How can he be sued for a nonviolent protest? The DOJ accused Connolly of violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, or FACE Act. The federal statute bans the use of force, threats, or physical obstructions against someone seeking or providing reproductive health services. Reproductive health services can consist of treatments like pap smears and mammograms, according to the act. The act also identifies abortion as a reproductive health service. The legislation protects pro-life clinics and churches, in addition to abortion facilities. Federal attorneys seek monetary penalties and injunctive relief under the FACE Act.

How is the pro-life community responding? The Biden-Harris Administration is using the full force of federal law to unjustly criminalize pro-life advocates, said Emily Erin Davis, VP of Communications at Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America. The DOJ has twisted the FACE Act and it’s time to repeal it, she added.

WORLD reached out to Pro-Life Across America, Pennsylvanians for Human Life, Pro-Life Union of Greater Philadelphia, and the PA Pro-Life Federation for comment. As of Tuesday afternoon, no responses had been received. WORLD also reached out to Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania and the Western Pennsylvania Fund for Choice and did not receive any responses as of Tuesday afternoon.

Dig deeper: Read my report on a federal judge convicting four different pro-life protesters earlier this year.