WASHINGTON – In a brazen display of anti-reproductive rights extremism, 75-year-old Paula Paulette Harlow of Kingston, Massachusetts, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for her role in a conspiracy to blockade a Washington, D.C. reproductive health care clinic.
Harlow’s sentence brings the total number of defendants to be sentenced for their roles in the blockade to 10. The blockade, which was orchestrated by Lauren Handy and broadcast on Facebook, involved the use of physical obstructions, including chains and ropes, to prevent clinic employees and patients from accessing the facility.
According to court documents, on October 22, 2020, Handy and her co-conspirators, including Harlow, forcefully entered the clinic and set up a blockade at two clinic doors. The blockade was designed to prevent the clinic from providing reproductive health services and to intimidate and injure clinic employees and patients.
The victims of the blockade were employees and patients at the clinic, who were subjected to harassment and intimidation by the defendants. The blockade was a clear violation of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, which prohibits the use of physical obstruction to prevent access to reproductive health care services.
Harlow’s sentence is the latest development in a case that has been marked by extreme anti-reproductive rights extremism. The blockade was part of a larger conspiracy that involved the use of social media to promote and coordinate the blockade. The defendants used Facebook to broadcast their activities and to recruit others to join them in the blockade.
The sentencing of Harlow brings to light the dangers of anti-reproductive rights extremism and the need for law enforcement to take a strong stance against those who would seek to intimidate and harass reproductive health care providers and their patients. The case is a reminder that reproductive rights are human rights, and that those who would seek to deny them will be held accountable.
The following defendants have already been sentenced in connection with the blockade:
Lauren Handy, 30, of Alexandria, VA, was sentenced to 57 months in prison and three years of supervised release for her role in the conspiracy.
John Hinshaw, 69, of Levittown, NY, was sentenced to 21 months in prison and three years of supervised release for his role in the conspiracy.
William Goodman, 54, of Bronx, NY, was sentenced to 27 months in prison and three years of supervised release for his role in the conspiracy.
Jay Smith, 34, of Freeport, NY, pleaded guilty to violating the FACE Act and was sentenced to 10 months in prison and three years of supervised release.
Jonathan Darnel, 42, of Arlington, VA, was sentenced to 34 months in prison and three years of supervised release for his role in the conspiracy.
Jean Marshall, 74, of Kingston, MA, was sentenced to 24 months in prison and three years of supervised release for her role in the conspiracy.
Joan Bell, 76, of Montague, NJ, was sentenced to 18 months in prison and three years of supervised release for her role in the conspiracy.
Herb Geraghty, age not provided, was sentenced to 12 months in prison and three years of supervised release for his role in the conspiracy.
Heather Idoni, age not provided, was sentenced to 12 months in prison and three years of supervised release for her role in the conspiracy.
Related Federal Cases
- Paula Harlow Sentenced for Blockade of D.C. Clinic · Massachusetts
- Swansea Man Throws Object at Capitol, Faces Riot Charges · Massachusetts
- Somerville Man Gets a Year for Jan. 6 Riot · Massachusetts
- D.C. Driver Donnie Bean Plows Through Pedestrians, Rams Police · Massachusetts
- D.C. Thief Gets 11+ Years for Violent Crime Spree · Massachusetts
Key Facts
- State: Washington DC
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Violent CrimeViolent CrimeViolent CrimeViolent Crime