OAKLAND, Calif., Feb. 20 /
Christian Newswire/ -- Rev. Walter Hoye was sentenced Thursday to 30 days in jail and fined $1,130 for unlawfully approaching women outside an Oakland abortion clinic even though evidence showed that he was innocent of the charges. He was ordered to stay away from the abortion clinic. Judge Hing told Rev. Hoye that he is allowed to serve the 30 days in an alternative program, such as community service. The
Life Legal Defense Foundation, which is representing Rev. Hoye, promises to appeal.
"This is an unjust sentence for an unjust conviction that cannot be allowed to stand," said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman. "We stand behind Rev. Hoye one hundred percent and pray for his speedy exoneration on appeal."
In May of last year, Rev. Hoye challenged the constitutionality of a city "bubble zone" ordinance by filing a civil suit in Federal Court alleging it violated free speech rights and illegally discriminated against speech based on content. The ordinance bans people from coming within 8 feet of women entering abortion clinics.
Twelve days later, Rev. Hoye was arrested for violating that law. During the trial, secret video produced by clinic workers, known as "escorts," not only showed that Rev. Hoye was innocent of the charges, but showed evidence that clinic escorts harassed him.
Rev. Hoye is an African-American who feels called to offer help to women outside abortion clinics and draw attention to the devastating impact abortion has had on the African-American community, which is disproportionately targeted by the abortion industry. He simply carries a sign that reads, "Jesus loves you and your baby. Let us help you."
"Every American should be alarmed by Rev. Hoye's conviction and this unconstitutional ordinance," said Newman. "When one man's rights are abused, it undermines everyone's liberty.
"We thank God for Rev. Hoye's courage and faith in the face of persecution, and pray that this case will call attention to the extent to which the abortion lobby will go to silence opposition to abortion, and prevent women from receiving the love and help that might lead them to keep their babies."
About Operation Rescue®
Operation Rescue is one of the leading pro-life Christian activist organizations in the nation. Operation Rescue recently made headlines when it bought and closed an abortion clinic in Wichita, Kansas and has become the voice of the pro-life activist movement in America. Its activities are on the cutting edge of the abortion issue, taking direct action to restore legal personhood to the pre-born and stop abortion in obedience to biblical mandates.
