Pro-Life Activist Joan Bell Sentenced to 27 Months in Prison for Blocking Abortion Clinic

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. Ms. Bell, 76, was an early leader in the rescue movement and was described by the Justice Department during sentencing as an iconic figure for pro-life activists. D.C. Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly sentenced her to 27 months and 100 hours of community service....