The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit on Monday, May 20 in the Northern District of Ohio against Citizens for a Pro Life Society, Red Rose Rescue, as well as seven individuals for violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act. The FACE Act “prohibits threats of force, obstruction, and property damage intended to interfere with reproductive health care services.” 

The complaint claims the two organizations and seven individuals engaged in unlawful physical obstruction of two Ohio reproductive health facilities in order to prevent them from providing patients with reproductive health care services. The events took place at Northeast Ohio Women’s Center in Cuyahoga Falls and on June 5, 2021 at Planned Parenthood of Great Ohio’s Bedford Heights Surgery Center. At the time of the action, Ohio reproductive laws allowed individuals to give and receive abortion care, despite the state’s attempts to enforce a ban. 

Monica Miller, one of the defendants in the case, has publicly stated that Red Rose Rescue (RRR) will continue to run as long as abortion is legal in any state. RRR is an anti-abortion group that organizes events across the country where participants occupy reproductive healthcare facilities, obstruct individuals from providing abortions, and intimidate patients seeking care. 

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FMF President Ellie Smeal, former Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass attend the awards ceremony.

Earlier this month, in Los Angeles, the Feminist Majority Foundation (FMF) was joined by some of the most inspiring women’s rights activists who have been on the frontlines of the fight for equality for the 16th annual Global Women’s Rights Awards. Organized by FMF Executive Director, Kathy Spillar, awards were given to acknowledge and celebrate the hard work of three women in particular that have tirelessly worked to advance equality: former Rep. Carolyn Maloney, Dr. Austin Dennard, and Sahra Mani. 

FMF Executive Director Kathy Spillar hosts the gala.

Former U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney received the Champion of Equality Award from FMF co-founder and president Ellie Smeal, alongside Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. Known for her unwavering support for women’s rights during her congressional tenure, Maloney continues her advocacy today by leading the national Sign4ERA petition drive. Her dedication to securing the final ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment aims to enshrine women’s equality in the Constitution and establish a national legal standard banning all forms of sex discrimination.

The second award was presented to OB-GYN and activist, Dr. Austin Dennard. She received the Courage Award for her bravery in stepping forward to tell her abortion story and becoming one of 22 plaintiffs in a lawsuit against Texas’ extreme abortion bans. 

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has made history as the first mayor of a major city in California to sign the national Sign4ERA petition supporting the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) — a national constitutional amendment that would explicitly prohibit sex-based discrimination. Mayor Bass was joined by former Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto, labor leader and civil rights activist Dolores Huerta, co-founder and President of the Feminist Majority Foundation Eleanor Smeal, and Executive Director of the Feminist Majority Foundation Kathy Spillar.

“The Equal Rights Amendment is needed now more than ever,” said President of the Feminist Majority Foundation Eleanor Smeal. “We were just told by the Supreme Court that there is no basis, no foundation, no building brick in the Constitution that covers sex discrimination.” The National Conference of Mayors supports the ERA and were delighted that Mayor Bass is taking action.

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