Media

MEDIA ALERT 

SHAM TRIAL Ends With Unjust Guilty Verdict

Lila Rose: “Decision Must Be Appealed and Overturned” 

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Federal District Court of Washington D.C. jury trial reached a verdict in the case against  Lauren Handy, Will Goodman, John Hinshaw, Heather Idoni, and Herb Geraghty,  finding each of them guilty of both conspiracy to interfere with civil rights and Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act violations in connection with a rescue action at the D.C.-based Washington Surgi-Clinic late-term abortion facility in October of 2020. These activists are being held in prison while awaiting sentencing, which has yet to be scheduled.

Lila Rose, founder and president of Live Action, released the following statement in reaction to the verdict:

“From the beginning, This trial has been a sham with a completely biased pro-abortion judge who has made a mockery of our justice system. This decision will be appealed, and we demand it be overturned. These activists are heroes, and the Department of Justice has acted capriciously and illegitimately.  These charges stem from the FACE Act, which exists to target and chill the free speech of pro-life Americans.  Their acts of bravery to protect innocent human life from notorious D.C. abortionist Cesare Santangelo have been punished by the corrupt DOJ. Santangelo’s Washington Surgi-Clinic is known for being a late-term abortion facility, surgically killing babies that are well past viability outside of their mother and Santangelo has even been caught on camera by Live Action stating his willingness to withhold medical care from infants born alive after a botched abortion, a violation of federal law. 

Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly refused to admit into evidence the Live Action investigation video showing the abortionist Cesare Santangelo, in his own words, stating his willingness to let a living child outside of the womb die from neglect and lack of medical attention. This is also the same judge who recently suggested that the 13th Amendment to the constitution’s ban on “involuntary servitude” may confer a right to abortion, comparing the beauty of pregnancy and motherhood with the horror of slavery. I stand with these activists who have been unjustly convicted and demand authentic justice for these advocates working to end the barbaric killing of abortion.”

About Lila Rose & Live Action – Lila Rose founded and serves as president of Live Action. Live Action is a 501(c)3 human rights non-profit and the digital leader of the global pro-life movement. Live Action exists today to shift public opinion on abortion and defend the rights of the most vulnerable. With over 6 million social media followers and 1.7 billion lifetime video views, Live Action reaches up to 100 million people per month – saving lives and transforming hearts, with 43% of surveyed followers saying Live Action’s content has changed their position on abortion. Through compelling educational media, human interest storytelling, investigative reporting, and community activism, Live Action reveals the humanity of the preborn and exposes the abortion industry exploiting women and families for profit. Find out more at http://www.liveaction.org.