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Despite recent presidential pardons, a legal case against pro-life activists accused of disrupting an abortion clinic is proceeding in New Jersey. Four defendants, including diocesan hermit Father David Nix, are set to stand trial on March 14 in Madison Joint Municipal Court. They face charges related to a "rescue" event at Garden State Gynecology in Morristown on July 13, 2019.
The group, which includes Father Fidelis Moscinski and William Goodman—both previously pardoned for similar activities—and activist Sally Hernandez, engaged in what they call a Red Rose Rescue. The event involved entering the clinic's waiting room to pray and distribute red roses with messages encouraging women to reconsider their decisions.
Father Fidelis expressed optimism about the outcome of the trial, stating, “A ‘revolution of common sense’ has occurred in our nation. I am confident that all of us will be found not guilty.”
The defense claims their actions were necessary to prevent harm and were motivated by a belief that the clinic was taking human life. Attorney Vincent J. Sanzone Jr. filed this argument as part of their legal strategy.
Father David has participated in similar rescues before; he was arrested during an event in Washington D.C., but those charges were later dismissed. The upcoming trial follows two postponements due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Red Rose Rescues are organized by Citizens for a Pro-Life Society based in Michigan. Their mission involves direct intervention at clinics where abortions are performed.
The legal landscape surrounding such protests remains contentious. While some charges have been dropped following presidential pardons, other cases continue, such as a contempt motion against Bernadette Patel for violating buffer zones at Planned Parenthood clinics.
Kurt Jensen reports from Washington for OSV News.
