A U.S. federal judge dismissed a Department of Justice lawsuit against individuals who protested at an abortion clinic in Washington, D.C. in 2020, finding the government failed to meet legal thresholds under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act.
The DOJ had accused the protesters of violating the 1994 law by physically obstructing clinic entrances and preventing patients and staff from entering for several hours. Prosecutors sought injunctions and civil penalties against more than ten individuals.
The judge determined the evidence did not sufficiently establish violations as alleged. The ruling focused on the legal standard of proof rather than the merits of the protests themselves, underscoring the high bar required for federal intervention in cases involving First Amendment considerations.
The dismissal could constrain future DOJ enforcement actions under the FACE Act. The Department of Justice has not yet said whether it will appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.
