More grandparents sentenced to prison over pro-life protests

Drug abuse and theft are on the rise across the Soft-On-Crime States of America as big cities refuse to crack down on “small crimes” and clean up their streets. But while we may let actual criminals off the hook in this country, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has had its hands more than full locking up pro-life grandmas and grandpas who speak out against abortion.

Last week, Chet Gallagher, a 75-year-old Christian, and Heather Idoni, a 60-year-old grandmother, were both sentenced to lengthy prison stays over their involvement in peaceful abortion protests.

According to The Daily Wire, “Chet Gallagher was sentenced to prison in… federal court in Nashville on Thursday afternoon for his conviction on violating the FACE Act and engaging in a conspiracy against rights. The convictions stemmed from his role in a peaceful sit-in at a Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, abortion facility in March 2021,” leading the federal government to press charges in October 2022.

While the Justice Department initially pushed for a 20-month sentence, the judge settled for 16 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Charges under the 1994 FACE (Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances) Act, “which prohibits threats of force, obstruction and property damage intended to interfere with reproductive health care services,” have witnessed a dramatic rise in recent years.

Gallagher, who spoke in court on Thursday, cited his Christian faith and former career as a policeman as inspiring him to pray outside the Mt. Juliet abortion clinic, where he and his fellow protestors sang hymns and urged women not to get abortions.

“As a police officer, I cannot walk away from a murder in progress,” he said, noting that his belief in “the most high God” compelled him to take action.

Heather Idoni, who faces eight months in prison over her involvement in the same sit-in protest, similarly pointed to her Christian faith, quoting from Proverbs 24 while speaking in court on Friday.

“If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength,” she read. “Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter.”

Idoni, who celebrated her 60th birthday in a federal prison on Saturday, said, “I would love to be home with my family. I would love to hold my new grandson.”

As I pointed out in a recent argument for why we need an Article V convention to limit federal power, spending, and terms of office, “The federal government has become a cudgel, an instrument of terror wielded against everyday American citizens.” Indeed, “the Founders would be horrified at how repressive their government of, by, and for the people has become.”

Any government that brings the brunt of its prosecutorial power to bear against peaceful opponents of the State (and not criminals!) has clearly abandoned its purpose for existing, which is to protect the people’s God-given rights. Thankfully, with an Article V convention, we can restore the Founders’ original intent for accountable, constitutionally limited government. Sign the Convention of States petition below to join the cause!