BUFFALO, N.Y. — A pro-life organization that operates a women's health care clinic locally has filed a civil suit against abortion rights activists.
"They need to have an experience with the rule of law, and that's what we're hoping to see happen," said Jim Harden, President of Compasscare Pregnancy Services, which provides prenatal services at several crisis pregnancy centers one at Amherst.
Harden notes that the federal Freedom to Access Clinic Entrances Act, signed by President Clinton nearly 30 years ago which makes it against the law to interfere with access to clinics that provide abortion, and also makes it illegal to do so at clinics that do not - and which may even counsel against abortion, like Compasscare.
"In a rule of law society all the laws need to be applied equally," Harden said.
What many may not realize is that violating the FACE Act can not only get you charged criminally but also open you up to civil damages.
"We're going to hit them in the pocketbook," said Harden.
Two named defendants in the lawsuit are Hannah Kamke, who pleaded guilty last month to charges in connection with the vandalization of a sign outside the Compasscare in Amherst, and Jennifer L. Paige, who the suit alleges organized protests that impeded access to the facility's parking lot.
"My guess is they're not going to like having their financial assets targeted for their poor behavior," said Harden.
Meanwhile, a $25,000 reward remains for information leading to the arrest and conviction of persons who firebombed Compasscare's facility in June of 2022.
No one has been charged for the crime which caused $500,000 in damage and resulted in injuries to two responding firefighters.
The lawsuit also names defendants "John Doe 1" and "Jane Doe 2".
"We are hoping that named defendants relative specifically to the firebombing incident will be identified, and we can roll them into the suit," Harden explained. "There's no place in civilized society for committing violent crimes or making death threats or anything else like that against people you happen to disagree with."
RELATED|