President Donald Trump signed another pardon on Thursday, freeing nearly a dozen pro-life protesters persecuted by former President Joe Biden's administration.
The protesters were prosecuted and sent to prison for singing songs, praying and locking arms to block access to clinics offering abortions while urging women not to have abortions.
The president's pardon was signed by Trump just hours before pro-life activists gathered in Washington DC for their annual March for Life.
The president is expected to speak at the event from the White House and Vice President J.D. Vance is also expected to speak at the meeting.
Biden's Justice Department prosecuted the activists under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, a bill passed in 1994 in response to ongoing Christian protests at abortion clinics.
Pro-life activists criticized the Biden administration for prosecuting non-violent protesters and sending them to prison for long sentences.
At a signing ceremony in the Oval Office, Trump said he had pardoned 23 prosecuted activists.
“They should not have been prosecuted, many of them are elderly, they should not have been prosecuted,” he said. 'It is a great honor to sign this.'
Trump's staff told him that some of them were in jail and that some of them had already been released under supervised release.
US President Donald Trump addresses the media after signing Executive Orders in the Oval Office
President Donald Trump watches as he issues executive orders and pardons
Supporters listen and hold up signs as President Donald Trump speaks during the annual March for Life rally
“Ridiculous,” Trump said after signing the pardon and showing the list to the press. 'They will be very happy.
The list of activists is expected to include the following activists currently in prison and serving their sentences: Lauren Handy, 30, sentenced to 57 months in prison; John Hinshaw, 69, sentenced to 21 months in prison; Jonathan Darnel, 42, sentenced to 34 months in prison; Herb Geraghty, sentenced to 27 months in prison, Jean Marshall, 74, sentenced to 24 months in prison; Joan Bell, 76, sentenced to 27 months in prison; Paula “Paulette” Harlow, 75, sentenced to 24 months in prison; Bevelyn Williams, sentenced to 41 months in prison, Heather Idoni sentenced to 24 months, and Calvin Zastrow sentenced to 6 months in prison.
Other cases highlighted by pro-life activists include Eva Edl, 89, of Aiken, South Carolina, who survived a Soviet-controlled concentration camp and came to America but was prosecuted by the Justice Department .
Trump regularly championed the cause of jailed pro-life activists, promising attendees of the Faith and Freedom Coalition to free them and “get them out of the gulags and back to their families where they belong.”
“Many people are in prison because of this. This is just crazy. We will arrange that immediately. First day. Immediately,” Trump said.
