Abortion Protesters Convicted of Violating Clinic Access Law (1)

Five people convicted of violating a federal law that prohibits blocking access to facilities where abortions are performed asked a federal court Wednesday to release them detention pending sentencing.

A violation of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act isn’t a “categorical crime of violence” requiring immediate incarceration, Lauren Hardy said in an emergency motion for reconsideration of her detention order. Federal District Judge Collen Kollar-Kotelly said she will treat the motion as having been joined by co-defendants William Goodman, Heather Idoni, John Hinshaw, and Herb Geraghty.

Violating a Reconstruction-era law meant to protect against intrusions into civil rights—of ...