Last year, activist Mark Houck attacked a Planned Parenthood clinic escort. On Friday, September 23, the well-known pro-life author and sidewalk counselor was jailed in front of his children after the Department of Justice conducted a SWAT raid on his rural Pennsylvania home. According to reports, federal officials in Pennsylvania have filed charges against anti-abortion protester Mark Houck, who is suspected of shoving a 72-year-old clinic escort twice. He reportedly broke the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrance (FACE) Act, which was enacted 30 years ago. The use of force with the goal of hurting, intimidating, or interfering with the provision of reproductive healthcare services is prohibited under this act.
I pulled up the docket for Mark Houck, the father of 7 and pro-life activist who had him home raided by two dozen FBI thugs last week at the direction of Merrick Garland’s DOJ.
This actually went to a grand jury. Our legal system is irrevocably broken: pic.twitter.com/yOI8VsWnoI
— Julie Kelly 🇺🇸 (@julie_kelly2) September 26, 2022
Mark Houck was caught in front of his children during a SWAT team raid on his home.
According to reports, on October 13, 2021, Houck attacked a 72-year-old man identified in the indictment as “B.L.” outside the Planned Parenthood Elizabeth Black Health Center in Philadelphia. According to a news statement from the Justice Department, B.L. was attempting to escort two patients out of the clinic when the defendant forcefully pushed him to the ground. In a second case, Houck was accused of “verbally” harassing B.L. outside the institution before forcibly shoving him down and inflicting injuries that needed medical attention.
According to US Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero:
“Assault is always a severe violation, and the FACE Act makes it a federal crime if the victim is targeted because of their affiliation with a reproductive healthcare facility.” Our Office and the Department of Justice are dedicated to pursuing offenses that endanger the safety and rights of all people.”
Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division, Jacqueline Maguire, also commented on the incident, saying:
“To put it simply, violence is never the solution.” Physical assault in violation of the FACE Act is a severe offense for which the FBI will strive to bring criminals responsible.”
According to Mark Houck’s wife, Ryan-Marie, their house was raided early Friday morning by 25 to 30 armed FBI officers. The officers are said to have hammered on the door and yelled at the family to open it.
She begged the cops, saying:
“Please, I’ll answer the door, but please, my children are at home.” “I have seven infants at home.”
She further said that the agents pointed their guns at them while shouting at the children to get upstairs.
She revealed:
“All the kids were screaming.” It was all really frightening and terrible.”
When Houck’s wife questioned the FBI agents about their legal rationale for arresting her husband, they reportedly said, “they were going to take him whether they had a warrant or not.” Ryan-Marie Houck alleged that after accusing the authorities of kidnapping Mark, she was given the first page of the arrest warrant. The paper stated that Mark had been charged with violating the FACE Act. If found guilty, Mark Houck faces up to 11 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and penalties of up to $350,000.
