Legal Defense for Pro-Life Activist Herb Geraghty

Campaign Created by: Kaine Spitak

The funds from this campaign will be received by Kaine Spitak.

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On October 14th, 2022 Pittsburgh pro-life leader Herb Geraghty was indicted and charged with violating the FACE Act in connection with a nonviolent pro-life direct action that occurred in 2020 in Washington DC.

This comes as part of an aggressive campaign from the Biden administration's Department of Justice under Merrick Garland to target peaceful pro-life activists. So far, at least 22 anti-abortion activists have been charged with the FACE Act this year. This is even more shocking because there have been no arrests or charges brought against any of the individuals who firebombed, vandalized, and otherwise attacked pro-life churches and pregnancy centers this summer.

If convicted, Herb and the other defendants (Lauren Handy, Jonathan Darnel, Jay Smith, Paulette Harlow, Jean Marshall, John Hinshaw, Heather Idoni, William Goodman, and Joan Bell) each face up to 11 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $260,000. 

Herb is currently working to secure legal representation in this case. Money donated will help Herb travel to court dates and other costs that arise before the trial. 

Herb's initial statement after the indictment read:

"This past weekend I learned I was indicted on charges related to nonviolent pro-life advocacy. Thanks to everyone who reached out. I am doing alright.

Much has already been said about the unjust and political nature of the recent arrests and charges brought against myself and other pro-life activists and leaders. It is clear that the Biden administration intends to use the DOJ as a weapon against political dissidents. Thank you to those who are speaking up in our defense and calling for justice.

However, as you do that please never lose sight of the fact that no matter what the state does to me or the other defendants — it will never compare to what they allow abortionists to do to children. The unborn babies still being killed every day in this country, despite the Dobbs decision, are the real victims. These children do not even get a trial before they are put to death. As you pray and demand justice for us, do NOT stop working for justice for them.

If convicted, I am facing up to 11 years in federal prison. That is obviously terrifying. However, 11 years is nothing compared to having your life snuffed out before you are even old enough to take your first steps or speak your first words.

Solidarity forever with nonviolent political prisoners and targets of the state. Solidarity forever with the unborn victims of state sanctioned violence. ☮️❤️"

Herb is a pro-life hero. Please give to support Herb in this critical fight against the corrupt government and abortion industrial complex.

UPDATES

Happy Thanksgiving! - Update #3
November 28, 2023 facebook X

Hello everyone! This is Kaine, Herb's fiancée. The following is a reflection from Herb, who is still currently incarcerated in Alexandria County Jail. 

"Happy Thanksgiving to everyone who celebrates. =)

So far all morning and afternoon the jail has been on "lockdown" meaning we're isolated in our cells. Spending the holidays behind bars is obviously not as enjoyable as spending them with my loved ones but even in jail I can't help but to appreciate the privileges I hold and be grateful for the support I have found in community both at home and in here. I'll be honest, the first hour or so of the day I spent sulking upset that despite the holiday it seems like we're going to have another all-day lockdown but to help lift my spirits I decided I would write down a short joy inventory and share some of the things and people I'm thankful for with all of you.

I'm thankful for my fiancée, Kaine, who has been my number one supporter both before and throughout this incarceration.\

I'm thankful for everyone who has sent me e-messages, mail, and donations to my commissary and legal support fundraiser. 

I'm thankful for my friends and colleagues at PAAU, Rainbow Pro-life Alliance, and Rehumanize International who are continuing the good work in my absence. 

I'm thankful for the Alexandria Jail's librarian who has kept me stocked with books which have helped maintain my sanity during all-day lockdowns. If you'd like to follow along with what I'm reading you can check out my Goodreads account: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/169845705-herb-geraghty 

I'm thankful for the vegan options available on the commissary list which have help keep me fed because the jail does not accommodate diets that reject violence and exploitation. In particular I'm grateful for Oreos, "The Whole Shabang" potato chips, and spicy hot pickles.

I'm thankful for the community I have in here among my fellow inmates. In particular, I'm grateful for a new friend who has been my workout buddy five days a week who is helping me work off all those Oreos and potato chips. I'm also grateful for the friends who have taught me how to play more card games than I knew existed.

I'm thankful that I get to see my co-defendants when we all sign up for weekly church services.

I'm thankful that most weeks if we're not locked down my unit-mates indulge me and let me play the Food Network's holiday baking shows on one of the shared TVs in the day room. 

I'm thankful for my attorney, John, and each of my co-defendants lawyers who have been working to get us out and preparing to appeal our case.

I'm thankful for those among my friends and family who may strongly disagree with my beliefs but are still showing support and love to me during this time. 

I'm thankful for my sister who has been tirelessly sending me pictures of her dog, Vampire Bill, and using the videogram feature to send me silly TikToks which always brighten my day.

I'm thankful for everyone who has been advocating for us and for unborn babies, especially those working tirelessly to #RepealFACE.

I'm thankful for my friends back in Pittsburgh who haven't taken a break from being outside the abortion facilities there and for sidewalk councillors across the country offering hope and help to people entering killing centers in their communities. 

Finally, I'm thankful for my health and my life which I don't think I always appreciate as much as I should.

Thanks for reading. I hope however you spend your day, it is filled with love."

- HG 

11/23/2023


Update #2
September 21, 2023 facebook X

Hello everyone, this is Kaine— Herb’s fiancé and the organizer of this campaign!

As you may have heard, Herb and the other rescuers were unjustly convicted of their charges and then immediately swept away to be detained until sentencing. A date for sentencing has still not been set.  

Thank you to everyone who has reached out and continues to support Herb and I during this difficult time. I wanted to send an update from Herb, who is currently incarcerated in Alexandria Detention Center, VA. 


From Herb, 9-3-2023:

"Thank you so much to everyone who has already reached out to express their support, solidarity, and love.

I am doing alright! Yesterday I was moved to general population which has already been much more bearable than my days in holding where I was kept alone in a cramped cell with 24/7 blinding lights with no stimulation and no way to even know the time.

It is unbelievable to me that human beings are forced to be in that position for weeks, months, or years at a time.

Now that I am in gen pop though, I am allowed to walk around most of the day in our little area where there is a small television, a stationary bike, and a few books! I also have the ability in here to make phone calls and read messages sent via the e-messaging system. 

They still aren't giving me the vegetarian meals yet that I've requested but thus far every meal has had at least one side that was vegan and yesterday someone even gave me their apple in exchange for the mystery meat I was given. :)

Please don't worry about me. 

I've quickly developed the skill of "looking on the bright side" to potentially a delusional degree where despite the circumstances I really do feel at peace.

I've been told that the attorneys have filed an emergency appeal to try to get us out and I'm hopeful that it will succeed. 

If not, we will likely be in here until our sentencing hearing in a couple of months where the judge will determine our fate which could include up to 11 years in federal prison for each of us.

Thank you to everyone who has been speaking out on our behalf. 

As you do that though, please remember to center the real victims in this injustice. While we are in here, every day unborn children are being killed by the thousands in this country. As I write, just a few miles from here, Cesare Santangelo is killing children old enough to survive outside the womb at the Washington Surgi Clinic at 2112 F St NW, Washington DC, 20037.

Horrifically, we also know from the evidence that the judge suppressed in our trial that he is likely committing illegal partial birth abortions and, according to his own words, allowing infants born alive in his botched elective post-viability abortions to die on the table. 

Whatever happens to us - they are the victims. 

Data consistently shows that majority of people who seek abortions say that they do so for reasons of economic insecurity. It is our responsibility as pro-life people to meet the needs of those in our communities who are being made to feel like abortion is their only option. 

If you are outraged by our incarceration, please let this inspire you to act.

Give to organizations who are directly meeting the needs of pregnant people in your community especially housing and healthcare. Advocate for better public support for these needs. Most urgently, while we are incarcerated, please take our place on the sidewalks outside of these clinics to offer resources, support, and hope to those walking in.

Please do not add funds to my commissary. My Fiancée Kaine, who has been an indescribable blessing to me has been making sure I have what I need. 

If you want to help, please instead give to my legal fundraiser at GiveSendGo.com/Herb. This will be used to support my ongoing defense in the appeals process as well as meeting my immediate needs while incarcerated.

If you want to write to me and the other rescuers, please see the instructions compiled by 

@PAAUonTrial at https://docs.google.com/document/d/127OCx_J8sgfJBbiwYFRQde1kKKx-VPKq7ofQZ6MgPLedit 

Thank you again for the outpouring of support and solidarity with us and with the babies.

For Life,

Herb Geraghty"


An Update from Herb:
July 19, 2023 facebook X

Hello!

I wanted to quickly post to thank you all so much for your support during this difficult time. 

When I first learned of the indictment against me I was terrified. I had never expected to be facing up to 11 years in federal prison for allegations related to pro-life nonviolent direct action and the prospect terrified me. However, very quickly I was shown that I was not facing this alone. The outpouring of support I was shown from my fellow pro-lifers was overwhelming. I am also extremely grateful to my fiancee, Kaine, who was completely essential to keeping me sane while dealing with the stress of the impending trial and who made this GiveSendGo fundraiser for me. I cannot thank all of you who have given to this fundraiser enough. It has enabled me to be able to travel to meet with my attorney to prepare for trial and it is about to help enable me to rent a place to stay in DC for the trial as well as other necessary expenses.  

Thank you so much for standing with me and the rescuers across the country currently being targeted by the Biden administration.

I wanted to share some updates about my case.

When I was first indicted I worked with a public defender who I felt was pressuring me to take a plea deal that would require me to testify against the other defendants. I was not interested and I did not feel confident about his ability and willingness to defend me. However, thanks to the support of the pro-life community I now have an excellent pro-life attorney representing me. 

The attorneys in the case have submitted several motions to dismiss the charges arguing that post-Dobbs the FACE Act is manifestly unconstitutional as well as accusing the Biden administration’s DOJ of “vindictive prosecution.” We are still waiting for the judge to rule on these motions. 

One piece of reassuring news was that since my indictment, some members of Congress have spoken up for me and the other defendants. 12 members of Congress signed onto a letter that cited the DOJ’s targeting of myself, my friend and co-defendant Lauren Handy, pro-life hero Father Fidelis, Mark Houck, and others that called for funding to be stripped from the FBI for FACE Act enforcement and called on their fellow members to seriously consider repealing the FACE Act in its entirety. I’m glad that it looks like some of our legislators, as well as the wider pro-life movement, are waking up to the urgent need to #RepealFACE. 

For now, though, it looks like the trial is moving forward. It is set to begin August 9th in Washinton DC at 333 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20001 and will likely stretch on for about 3 weeks but there is no way to know for sure how long it will last. 

I know that supporters are trying to mobilize as many people as possible to pack the courtroom in support of the defendants. If you are at all interested in attending any part of the trial or events around DC during that period please send me an email and I can get you connected to the organizers. If you can only join for a short time, the most important day to plan to be there is the first day of the trial - August 9th. 

Thank you again for your support. 


Peace, 

Herb Geraghty

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