Pro-Life Activist Found Not Guilty of Violating FACE Act

A Philadelphia jury found Monday that a pro-life activist was guilty Mark Houch Not guilty of violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE).

According to Life NewsHouck testified that Bruce Love, now-former Planned Parenthood Elizabeth Blackwell Health Center, chased Houck 100ft down the sidewalk to stop Houck counseling two people who had fled the planned Parenthood location. Houck moved Love to the side, and they made contact.

Houck, then 12-year-old son, were standing 50 feet from clinic entrance praying. Love came over two feet closer and began saying “I love you.” “vile and nasty things.”

Houck told Love to stop harassing him and tell him to go away. But Love refused. Houck ended up pushing Love away.

“I don’t know how anyone could hear what we’ve heard over the past few days and think that Mark deserves to be in prison. I don’t know how anyone could watch this grueling trial and think that Bruce Love was a helpless victim and Mark a violent monster. And I don’t know how anyone could hear the moving and courageous testimony of young Mark Jr. and come away with their hearts hardened against his father.” Brian McMonagle spoke to the jury. “This case is about a father’s love for his child.”

“I truly believe that we’ve sent a message to Biden’s DOJ and the abortion industry that, despite all their money and power, they can’t get away with abusing government power to destroy the lives of heroic sidewalk counselors without triggering a confrontation with the Thomas More Society,” He concluded.
 

“We are, of course, thrilled with the outcome,” Peter Breen, Thomas More Society Executive vice president & Head Litigation, stated in a statement. 

“Mark and his loved ones are now freed from the shadow the Biden administration placed upon them. We beat Goliath with all the might of the United States government. The jury ruled against the discriminatory case of the prosecution, which was harassment since day one. This victory is for Mark and all of the pro-life movement. The Biden Department of Justice’s intimidation against pro-life people and people of faith has been put in its place.”

The 2021 incident was initially tried in state court, but the charges were thrown out. Nearly one year later, the Department of Justice of the Biden administration took over the case.

On September 23, 2022, Houck’s home, where his wife and children were, was swarmed by roughly 15 vehicles and dozens of armed federal SWAT officers. Houck was taken into custody during the incident.

According to the prosecution, video evidence during the trial showed Love approaching Houck. Houck then shoved Love back. Love collapsed after the show.

According to the prosecution, the altercation occurred after an engagement between the men. Planned Parenthood didn’t save any footage of the day from their cameras except for the one shown.

This is a breaking story that will be updated.

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