WASHINGTON—Joan Bell, who has been described as the “matriarch of pro-life activism,” was sentenced to 27 months in prison on May 15 for her role in blocking access to an abortion clinic in October 2020.
Her sentence came alongside those of six others, including Lauren Handy, who organized and led the event. Often called “rescues,” these types of events are designed to block access to abortions and/or convince women not to proceed with their abortion appointments. The events can vary in tactics, with some, like the one in 2020, using bike locks and other tools to prevent access.
