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TRANSCRIPT
Over three years ago, Church Militant was on the scene at a Red Rose Rescue in Flint, Michigan, where four people were arrested. Their trial just concluded Wednesday.
Church Militant’s Kristine Christlieb brings us an update from the courthouse.
Matthew [Joseph] Connolly, Red Rose Rescue defendant: “During the proceedings, I was praying the special Magnificat prayers to St. Joseph, his litany, and just praying Memorares.”
Four Catholic pro-lifers prayed for a better outcome but were found guilty of resisting arrest, disturbing the peace and trespass.
Matthew Connolly, Lauren Handy, Patrice Woodworth-Randall and William Goodman entered a Flint abortion mill in June 2019 to participate in a Red Rose Rescue.
Their purpose? To present the abortion-minded mothers with red roses and to defend the innocent lives hanging in the balance.
Monica Miller, director, Citizens for a Pro-Life Society: “In this trial, unborn children were not recognized as persons who had a right to be defended.”
The jury deliberated for less than two hours. They agreed with the prosecution: The defendants’ actions may have been just, but they still broke the law.
Despite the jury’s verdict, the defendants, all of them veterans of the abortion wars, were joyful.
Will Goodman, Red Rose Rescue defendant: “I was threatened with being tazed. I was put into a torture hold, and now I’m a felon for resisting.”
Several of the defendants are facing similar charges in other states.
Lauren Handy, Red Rose Rescue defendant: “I have a trial in Alexandria, Virginia, July 12, and I have federal charges for a traditional rescue that happened in 2020, and I also have pending charges in California for a rescue there as well.”
Earlier this year, Handy recovered the remains of more than 100 infants. Five of them may have been victims of partial-birth abortion, a federal crime.
Patrice Woodworth-Randall, Red Rose Rescue defendant: “It is an honor to be standing between the knife and the baby. It truly is.”
When Rosa Parks didn’t give up her seat on the bus, she was found guilty of breaking the law, but ultimately she prevailed, as will God’s people.
Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 23. The defendants are facing possible fines and up to two years in state prison.