6 pro-life activists charged after abortion clinic rescue mission

Six pro-life activists are facing state charges in Pennsylvania after participating in a pro-life demonstration dubbed a “rescue” at an abortion facility last month.

The July 31 incident happened at the Delaware County Women’s Center, located inside Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Upland. The facility does not perform surgical abortions but provides first-trimester chemical abortions using mifepristone and misoprostol, according to National Catholic Reporter.

Among those charged are Joan Andrews Bell, 77, of Montague, New Jersey; and William Goodman, 55, of Wisconsin. Both had been pardoned earlier this year by former President Donald Trump after prior convictions under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, or FACE Act.

Also charged were Monica Miller, 72, of Michigan; Patrice Woodworth-Crandall, 61, of Minnesota; Eric Holmberg, 71, of Ohio; and ChristyAnne Collins, 70, of Texas. All six are longtime pro-life activists.

They face misdemeanor counts of biosecurity trespassing – entering a medical treatment area without following biosecurity procedures – and disorderly trespassing. Each could carry penalties of up to one year in jail and fines. Bail was set at $20,000 per person.

Police described the protest, associated with Red Rose Rescue, as nonviolent but disruptive. Collins told an officer to “go speak to the women upstairs and explain that they are committing murder.”

Inside the building, officers found three of the pro-lifers praying and using sacramentals. According to the police report, the activists then began pouring an unknown liquid and salt-like substance identified as holy water and blessed salt.

Speaking to Citizens for a Pro-Life Society supporters, Miller said the activists were “arrested while peacefully offering roses and resources to mothers.”

They “peacefully offered words of support and alternatives to abortion as well as information on abortion pill reversal,” she added.

Miller also noted “about 90 minutes into the rescue, the staff announced that they were ‘closing the clinic for the day,’ and all abortion appointments for the eight women who had arrived to kill their unborn children were canceled.”

She explained the group entered the building because “only by entering the building itself could the women scheduled for abortion be reached.”

Red Rose Rescue was founded in 2017 and organizes these missions to directly reach women seeking abortions by offering alternatives and encouragement.

The six defendants are scheduled to appear in court later this month.