Anti-Abortion Activist Sentenced to Nearly 5 Years in Prison

Lauren Handy's conviction for blocking a D.C. clinic raises questions about the severity of penalties and selective enforcement.

Lauren Handy, an anti-abortion activist, was sentenced to 57 months in prison for blocking a Washington, D.C. abortion clinic in 2020.
Handy was convicted of civil rights conspiracy and violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act.
Critics argue that Handy's sentence is harsh compared to other crimes and reflects a bias against anti-abortion activists.
Handy and her co-defendants blocked access to the clinic, resulting in an altercation and injury to a clinic employee.
The case has sparked a debate on the severity of penalties for civil disobedience and the selective enforcement of laws.