According to CBN News, government officials are increasingly using lawsuits to target pro-life protesters outside abortion clinics. A variety of laws have already put restrictions on these protests -- a major one being the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, which can cause convicted protesters to face thousands of dollars in fines as well as jail time -- and the Feds have steadily stepped up the number of cases in the past few years. "They're trying to shut down free speech at abortion clinics, but then [Planned Parenthood president] Cecile Richards is one of the most frequent visitors to the White House, so you know she's having an impact," said Jo Scott, a longtime protester outside Planned Parenthood in Denver who has faced several charges of obstructing the clinic's entrance with her husband, Ken. Though the government has had a tough time winning many of its cases against pro-life protesters, the FACE Act remains "dangerous in so many ways," said pro-life attorney Rebecca Messall. "And it's been used ... across the country to try to intimidate and punish people for exercising their First Amendment rights."
