New York Attorney General files lawsuit against anti-abortion group

New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit today against members of an anti-abortion group, Red Rose Rescue, for "invading reproductive health care clinics, threatening staff and clinicians, and terrorizing patients," according to a press release from the New York Attorney General’s Press Office.

Members of Red Rose Rescue have allegedly tried to prevent clinics from seeing patients by physically blocking entrances, which is illegal under the United States Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE Act) and the New York State Clinic Access Act.

Attorney General James is looking to prohibit Red Rose Rescue members from coming within 30 feet of any reproductive health care facility in New York state in the lawsuit filed today. James is also seeking penalties and damages.

“Red Rose Rescue has made it their mission to terrorize reproductive health care providers and the patients they serve,” said Attorney General James. “Make no mistake: abortion is health care, and as New York’s Attorney General, I will continue to protect and defend everyone’s legal right to safely access health care.”

Members of Red Rose Rescue Matthew Connolly, Laura Gies, Jacob Gregor, Monica Miller, Father Fidelis (Christopher) Moscinski, and Elizabeth Wagi were found guilty in February of trespassing, and resisting/obstructing a police officer, , according to The Oakland Press. Connolly, Gregor, Moscinski, and Wagi were also found guilty of interfering with a business.

The conviction came from a group visit to Northland Family Planning in April 2022. The six attempted a “defense of others” claim, arguing they were attempting to protect the unborn babies, but it was denied by the court.

“We were there to defend life, throwing ourselves on the side of the unwanted,” said Miller at the time. “And that’s how we are going to live our lives.”