Two individuals are facing federal felony charges for vandalizing offices belonging to religious groups that provide abortion alternatives in Florida. Caleb Freestone, 27, and Amber Smith-Stewart, 23, were charged with conspiracy against rights and violating freedom of access to clinic entrances. The indictment alleges that they targeted three pregnancy help centers that offer counseling, pregnancy testing, and ultrasounds. The vandalism occurred on May 28, 2022, at a center operated by the Archdiocese of Miami in Hollywood, Florida. The pair spray-painted the threat, “If abortions aren’t SAFE then neither are you,” possibly in response to leaked information suggesting that the Supreme Court was going to overturn abortion rights.
The vandalism was captured on surveillance footage and shared with the police. The photo of the vandalism shows the anarchist symbol and the words “JANE’S REVENGE,” referring to a militant pro-abortion group established after the leaked Alito opinion. Two days after the Supreme Court released its decision overturning Roe v. Wade, the pair allegedly spray-painted another clinic in Winter Haven, Florida, with threatening messages. On July 3, they targeted another facility in Hialeah, Florida, using the same threat as the Hollywood clinic. The purpose of the conspiracy, according to the indictment, was to intimidate and threaten employees of reproductive health service facilities.
The Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE Act) is a federal law that makes it a crime to threaten or interfere with clinics providing abortions or reproductive health services. Planned Parenthood has warned individuals seeking abortions about “crisis pregnancy centers” like the ones targeted in Florida, stating that they are run by anti-abortion activists with an agenda to scare, shame, or pressure individuals out of getting an abortion. If convicted, Freestone and Smith-Stewart could face up to 12 years in prison and a fine of up to $350,000.
Archbishop of Miami Thomas Wenski commended the police and justice system for taking these instances of domestic terrorism against pro-life facilities seriously. He stated that hate crimes of this sort should not be tolerated. No attorney information was listed for the accused individuals in federal court records. Smith-Stewart did not respond to a request for comment.
This case highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding abortion rights in the United States. The alleged vandalism occurred in response to leaked information suggesting that the Supreme Court was poised to overturn Roe v. Wade. The actions of Freestone and Smith-Stewart can be seen as an attempt to intimidate and threaten individuals working in reproductive health service facilities. The indictment against them is based on the FACE Act, which aims to protect access to clinics providing abortions and reproductive health services. Planned Parenthood has warned individuals about crisis pregnancy centers, emphasizing their anti-abortion agenda. The potential consequences for Freestone and Smith-Stewart, if convicted, include significant prison time and fines. The case has drawn attention to the need to address acts of domestic terrorism against pro-life facilities and the importance of protecting reproductive health services.
