Pro-life Dad Acquitted: Jury Rejected Government Intimidation of Pro-Lifers

Ashley Sadler : Jan 31, 2023
Lifesitenews.com

"From day one, this case has been an intimidation tactic by the Biden Department of Justice. We had put forward a very strong legal case why it should have never reached trial. Our hope here is that a message was sent to Washington DC to stop this harassment of sidewalk counselors who are just trying to provide alternatives to those who are facing an abortion decision." -- Peter Breen, Thomas More Society executive vice president

[LifeSite News] – Pro-life activist and Catholic father of seven Mark Houck said he was "so grateful" after he was found not guilty Monday of both federal charges lodged against him over a 2021 sidewalk altercation outside an abortion clinic. (Screengrab Image)

"I'm just so grateful for the men that [God] has surrounded me with," Houck told reporters outside the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on Monday, throwing his arms around the members of his legal defense team who helped him present his side of the case during the brief trial. 

He also expressed gratitude for his family, who stood outside the courthouse with him.

"I'm George Bailey today," Houck said, a reference to Jimmy Stewart's character in the classic Frank Capra film It's a Wonderful Life.

Asked by a reporter whether the case ever should have been brought at all, Houck deflected to his attorneys, saying he's just "grateful" that "justice" was "finally served."

Peter Breen, the Thomas More Society executive vice president and head of litigation, answered the question for Houck, remarking that "from day one, this case has been an intimidation tactic by the Biden Department of Justice."

"We had put forward a very strong legal case why it should have never reached trial, and then what the jury heard in there was the factual case why Mark was totally innocent of these charges," Breen continued. "This matter is one that never should've gotten the attention of the Department of Justice."

"Our hope here is that a message was sent to Washington DC to stop this harassment of sidewalk counselors who are just trying to provide alternatives to those who are facing an abortion decision," Breen said. 

"And I hope, again, that this will be one of those points where a change is made. And so, no one else will have to suffer the same way that Mark and his family have had to suffer," he added.

Outside the courthouse, Houck prayed along with his family, legal team, and pro-life supporters, referencing Matthew 19:26 in affirming that with God and through the power of prayer "we can do anything."... Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

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