Also known as: Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act · FACE Act · FACE · clinic access law
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
A federal statute that imposes civil and criminal penalties for using force, threats of force, or physical obstruction to interfere with access to reproductive health services facilities.
Fatou Fall positioned herself and several supporters directly in front of the main doors to a reproductive health clinic, linking arms to prevent patients from entering. Staff called police after multiple patients turned away. Fall was charged under FACE for physical obstruction of clinic access.
Fabian Flynn mailed flyers to known clinic patients warning of physical harm if they sought services. Recipients reported fear and canceled appointments. Prosecutors pursued FACE liability for threats intended to deter access.
Francesca Fiore organized a rally outside a clinic that on its face appeared to be protected speech but was actually intended to block all entries. Evidence showed the true purpose was obstruction. The court permitted extrinsic proof that the event functioned as a prohibited blockade under FACE.
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Faye Fuller distributed materials at a clinic entrance that attempted to disclaim any intent to obstruct while simultaneously forming a human chain. Patients could not enter. The conspicuous disclaimers did not prevent FACE liability for the physical interference that occurred.
Frederick Ferguson filed documents with local authorities stating on their face that his group would only engage in peaceful demonstration at a clinic. In practice the group blocked doors. The facial statements did not shield Ferguson from FACE enforcement when actual obstruction took place.
Faith Fitzgerald shoved a clinic escort who stood between her and the entrance while claiming she acted only to protect herself from minor contact. The shove caused serious bodily harm. The court examined whether the force used met the threshold for FACE liability despite the self-defense assertion.
FACE prohibits the use of force, the threat of force, or physical obstruction intended to interfere with access to reproductive health services facilities. The statute was enacted in 1994 to address violent protests that reduced women's access to abortion clinics.
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FACE protects access to any reproductive health services facility. The statute covers clinics providing a range of services including but not limited to abortion.
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FACE authorizes both civil remedies for injured parties and criminal penalties against violators. The statute was passed in direct response to clinic blockades and violence that prevented patients from obtaining services.
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…in the Constitution. This liberty' is not a series of isolated points pricked out in terms of the taking of property; the freedom of speech, press, and religion; the right to keep and bear arms; the freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures; and so on. It is a rational continuum which, broadly speaking, includes…