Moody files suit against Antifa members for allegedly vandalizing pregnancy centers
Lydia Nusbaum contributed to this report.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – Attorney General Ashley Moody filed a lawsuit against Antifa and Jane’s Revenge activists for allegedly vandalizing Florida crisis pregnancy centers, according to documents exclusively obtained by Florida’s Voice.
The lawsuit was filed against Caleb Hunter Freestone and Amber Marie Smith-Stewart, who Moody said are members of the groups Antifa and Jane’s Revenge.
“Antifa and Jane’s Revenge are criminal organizations and must answer for their crimes in Florida,” Moody said. “I am taking action to hold their members accountable for attempting to intimidate and threaten law abiding citizens in our state.”
Moody is using the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, also known as FACE Act, to defend pregnancy resource centers.
The office said this is the first time an attorney general has used the FACE Act to defend pregnancy resource centers. Historically, the FACE Act has been used to defend abortion clinics.
Moody is asking the federal court to asses damages and fines against the defendants of $170,000 each. The complaint claims that Freestone and Smith-Stewart violated the FACE Act.
The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division.
The complaint said that Freestone and Smith-Stewart participated in coordinated attacks and vandalized three crisis pregnancy centers following the leaked draft opinion in the Dobbs v. Jacksonville Women’s Health Organization.
Those include the South Broward Pregnancy Help Center, LifeChoice crisis pregnancy center in Winter Haven and the Heartbeat of Miami in Hialeah, according to the complaint.
It cites that those pregnancy centers tend to offer services for pregnant women but do not perform abortions.
It accused the defendants of spray painting on the walls, “If abortions aren’t safe, neither are you.”
“Pro-abortion extremists from criminal organizations like Antifa and Jane’s Revenge have sought to silence pro-life individuals through violence and intimidation,” the complaint said.
First Liberty Institute is also filing a lawsuit on behalf of one of the victimized clinics.
“Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is leading the effort to protect all faith-based pregnancy care centers across the country. The rule of law compels this lawsuit. If you use violence as a means to advance your disagreement, you will be held accountable by the law,” First Liberty President, CEO and Chief Counsel Kelly Shackelford said.
The complaint said the FACE Act subjects civil and criminal penalties to any person who “by force or threat of force… intentionally… intimidates or interferes with attempts to… intimidate or interfere with any person because that person is or has been… providing reproductive health services.”
In May 2022, the complaint claimed the defendants damaged and destroyed the property of South Broward Pregnancy Help Center in Hollywood.
In June 2022, it claims the defendants damaged property of LifeChoice crisis pregnancy center in Winter Haven. They are accused of spray painting: “YOUR TIME IS UP!!”; “WE’RE COMING for U”; and “We are everywhere.”
The Heartbeat of Miami pregnancy center in Hialeah was also spray painted with threats including “If abortions aren’t safe the [sic] neither are you,” according to the complaint.
