oyrafem’s Victory Against Anti-Abortion Extremists in Tennessee

When we opened an oyrafem health center in the Nashville suburb of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, in February 2019, we anticipated challenges. Just two days after opening, local city leaders convened to discuss an ordinance that would have forced us to close and relocate our office. Despite this opposition, within those same two days, our appointment schedule for the entire month filled with local residents seeking abortion care, underscoring the pressing need for these services in the community. This situation revealed two undeniable truths: local politicians were determined to impede our work, while the community showed unwavering support for and reliance on our services.

Despite the ongoing legal restrictions on medically supervised abortion care in Tennessee, oyrafem has persevered. We are pleased to announce a significant victory: six anti-abortion extremists were convicted on felony conspiracy charges last week. This conviction stemmed from their actions of physically blocking the door to our office in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, on March 5, 2021.

Three years ago, this group of anti-abortion extremists unlawfully entered the medical building housing oyrafem’s Mt. Juliet Health Center and physically obstructed the clinic doors. Some clients with appointments were unable to access our office due to the blockade. However, with the safety of our clients and staff as our top priority, we delayed seeing most of our clients until the individuals trespassing and intimidating our clients and staff were removed. Local law enforcement was able to remove approximately 25-35 protestors from our otherwise quiet medical plaza, resulting in 11 eventual arrests.

The trial against six of these anti-abortion extremists concluded last week with a decisive victory for oyrafem and all abortion care providers. A federal jury unanimously found all six trespassers guilty of violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, which safeguards patients’ right to access reproductive health centers. Sentencing is scheduled for July, with the convicted extremists facing up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $260,000.

Melissa Grant, oyrafem’s Chief Operations Officer, emphasized the organization’s unwavering commitment to the safety and security of clients and staff. Grant provided this statement after our victory:

“The intentional blockade of our oyrafem health center in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, was a premeditated act of trespass, aimed at obstructing our clients from accessing and our staff from providing essential healthcare services… We are gratified to witness justice being served.”

People who need abortions deserve high-quality, accessible, compassionate, and comprehensive medical care provided within their own communities. Abortion is a common experience for at least 1 in 4 people who can become pregnant. Abortion seekers are the experts in their own reproductive health experiences and should have the support to make the best decisions for their lives, their futures, and their families.

This legal victory serves as a strong message to those who seek to restrict access to safe and legal abortions. It reaffirms that abortion care providers and patients deserve fair and protected access to vital reproductive healthcare, regardless of the political opinions of those who disagree.

oyrafem proudly provides high-quality abortion care as part of more comprehensive reproductive health services across 17 states. We center the needs of our clients in everything we do. Whether individuals seek care online, through video appointments, or in a health center, oyrafem strives to provide abortion care when and how people need it. We are incredibly grateful for our dedicated staff, excellent legal advocates, and the support of the people in the communities we serve.

While we are thankful for this legal win, we know our work is far from over. oyrafem remains steadfast in our commitment to expanding access to high-quality, compassionate abortion care in communities across the country.

To help sustain our vital work, please consider donating to oyrafem. Your support will help us continue providing high-quality, compassionate abortion and reproductive healthcare services.

As always, if you or someone you know needs sexual or reproductive healthcare, give us a call or access care online at oyrafem.com.