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A 75-year-old pro-life activist has been sentenced to 2 years in prison. She did break the law, but it this truly a just punishment?
From Townhall. President Joe Biden’s Department of Justice (DOJ) has been quite eager to prosecute prayerful pro-life activists using the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, including an elderly grandfather. Since then, more grandparents have been sentenced, including grandmothers in poor health.
Have you taken your place on the wall?
Late last month, 59-year-old Heather Idoni was sentenced to 24 [months] in prison. She’s already been incarcerated for nine months, which will count towards time served. It’s been far from a pleasant experience for the grandmother, as Live Action News revealed …
Paulette Harlow was the final defendant sentenced in this case. She was sentenced last Friday, also to 24 months. As Live Action News highlighted about this more unique defendant, the 75-year-old grandmother is in particularly poor health. This case has received particular attention, given Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly’s callous attitude toward Harlow, and how her husband pled for mercy [Emphasis added]:
Defense attorney [Allen] Orenberg emphasized that Harlow’s health is rapidly declining, and that interrupting her current care by sending her to prison would be detrimental to her already-fragile condition. “She cannot continue to exist without support, especially that of her husband,” Orenberg stated. He also noted that Harlow is a mother of 6, including 4 adopted children, and a grandmother of 8, as well as a respected member of both her civic and church communities.
John Harlow spoke next, delivering a heartfelt emotional statement on his wife’s behalf. “I feel like Paulette is dying,” he said. “In my heart, I think she’s having a hard time staying alive.” He referred to himself as his wife’s “valet,” explaining that he provides all of her necessary care, and expressed that he would gladly take her place in prison, if he could. …
Judge Kollar-Kotelly echoed the accusations of the prosecution in her closing comments, claiming that Harlow violated abortion-seekers’ civil rights, describing the rescue action as “violent,” and characterizing Harlow as lacking in kindness and remorse. After pronouncing sentence, Kollar-Kotelly made a cryptic statement regarding her hope that Harlow would “make an effort to remain alive” because that is a “tenet of [Harlow’s] religion.” …
Like the judge, prosecutor Rebecca Ross appeared dismissive about Harlow’s health, even claiming the defendant used her poor health as an “excuse” to “escape the consequences” of her actions. She recommended a sentence of 33-41 months for Harlow. …
Share your prayers for Paulette Harlow and other activists like her.
(Excerpt from Townhall. Photo Credit: Maria Oswalt on Unsplash)