Anti-abortion activists pardoned by Trump face trial for new clinic invasion'

"The six, who were also charged with criminal conspiracy, were due in court on Wednesday, but waived their right to appear a move that is tantamount to pleading not guilty, according to lawyer John Williamson. A trial date has not been set. Abortion rights advocates say anti-abortion activists have become far bolder over the last several months, after the Trump administration announced it would curtail enforcement of the law historically used to prosecute similar disruptions to abortion providers' work."

"The group was arrested in July when two women walked into the Delaware County Women's Center, an abortion clinic in Upland, Pennsylvania, for scheduled appointments. But they were not really looking for abortions. Instead, they were there to usher other anti-abortion activists into the clinic, according to police reports and an eyewitness. The activists started trying to talk patients out of having abortions, the reports and the eyewitness said."

"When the police arrived, they ultimately arrested six protesters. The clear liquid and white powder, they told police, were holy water and salt. These clinic invasions as abortion rights supporters call them or rescues, as they are known among anti-abortion activists, are nothing new. During these actions, anti-abortion activists enter clinics and attempt to interfere with services, often through trying to talk women out of getting abortions, loudly praying, or physically blocking staffers' and patients' way."

Six anti-abortion activists face state trespass and criminal conspiracy charges after refusing to leave an abortion clinic; two were previously pardoned by Donald Trump. The defendants waived their right to appear, which their lawyer said is tantamount to pleading not guilty. A trial date has not been set. The group was arrested in July at the Delaware County Women’s Center in Upland, Pennsylvania, after two women entered to usher other activists who attempted to dissuade patients and sprinkled a clear liquid and white powder they identified as holy water and salt. Clinic invasions, or 'rescues,' have occurred more than 500 times since 1977, and abortion rights advocates link increased boldness to Department of Justice enforcement changes.

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