Charges were dismissed this week against two Catholic priests and others who were arrested for praying inside an abortion facility in July in Washington, D.C.
Life Legal Defense Foundation, which represents the “Red Rose Rescue” defendants, said a judge quickly granted its request Thursday to dismiss all charges against Father David Nix, Father Fidelis Moscinski and two other pro-life advocates.
Red Rose Rescues involve pro-life advocates entering abortion facilities to provide women with information about alternatives to abortion and a red rose. Nix, Fidelis and the other two defendants were charged with criminal trespass in July for praying inside the Capital Women’s Services abortion facility in Washington, D.C. The abortion facility is run by the notorious late-term abortionist Steven Chase Brigham, who has lost his medical license in multiple states.
On Thursday, Life Legal attorney John Garza said when the judge asked the parties whether they were ready for trial, prosecuting attorney Jana Maser said she was not ready because she could not produce any witnesses.
Then, Garza asked the judge to dismiss all charges, and the judge granted their request immediately.
“This all took place in less than thirty seconds,” Nix said.
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Nix said they were ready to defend themselves and the women they hoped to help through information about Brigham’s notorious practices. A number of states have shut down Brigham’s abortion businesses because of his long record of egregious health and safety violations.
“Because we were there to save lives, we would not accept any plea-bargain or community service,” he said.
Fortunately, they did not have to even consider it. Life Legal Defense Foundation Executive Director Alexandra Snyder said they were pleased with the outcome of the trial.
“The Red Rose Rescuers are heroes in the pro-life movement, willing to sacrifice their freedom to prevent women and babies from becoming victims of the abortion holocaust,” Snyder said. “We are honored to stand in their defense and in the defense of the dignity of human life.”
Pro-life advocate Monica Miller previously told LifeNews about the concept behind the Red Rose Rescue.
She described it as a “ministry of conscience” during which peaceful and prayerful activists enter abortion facilities to try to save babies. She said they counsel pregnant women by offering information to mothers in difficult circumstances.
“When asked to leave these prayerful rescuers remain at the facility in solidarity with the babies that they may not die alone and unloved. They are willing to risk arrest as another sign of solidarity with the preborn baby who remains helpless,” Miller told LifeNews. “The charitable efforts of the Rescuers are also an attempt to protect the women from the emotional and physical harm that is a real danger in abortion.
“In the case of Steven Brigham, the notorious abortionist whose office was entered [in July], the possibility of harm to women is real and present. He has had his license to practice medicine revoked in several states and has had women die at his hands. He was even charged with murder in Maryland,” Miller said. “Brigham is not licensed to practice medicine in the District of Columbia.”
