Federal judge rules anti-abortion group Red Rose Rescue repeatedly violated access laws, marking significant legal win for Attorney General James and patients’ rights across New York

New York – In a significant legal victory, New York Attorney General Letitia James successfully won a lawsuit against the anti-abortion group Red Rose Rescue. The group was found to have repeatedly violated state and federal laws designed to protect access to reproductive health care clinics. This ruling underscores a firm commitment to safeguarding reproductive rights and ensuring unimpeded access to medical services related to abortion.

The lawsuit, initiated by Attorney General James in June 2023, stemmed from various incidents where members of Red Rose Rescue trespassed on clinic properties, blocked entrances, and physically obstructed patients from entering, significantly disrupting the provision of medical services. These actions were adjudged not as peaceful protests but rather as clear violations of the law, particularly contravening the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act and New York’s Clinic Access Act.

U.S. District Court Judge Kenneth M. Karas, in his decision, concluded that the actions of Red Rose Rescue members constituted intentional and unlawful obstruction. They trespassed and refused to leave clinic premises, often necessitating police intervention to remove them. The group’s tactics included physically positioning themselves in such a way as to delay or prevent patients from accessing the clinics, an act Judge Karas identified as a coordinated strategy to disrupt legal medical services and to use their arrests as a further tactic to halt abortions.

This court ruling marks a critical affirmation of the legal protections afforded to reproductive health services, ensuring that clinics can operate without unlawful interference and that patients can access necessary care without fear of harassment or obstruction. Attorney General James highlighted the importance of the ruling.

“This is a monumental victory for the rule of law, for reproductive freedom, and for every patient who has been harassed, intimidated, or blocked from accessing the health care they need,” AG James said.

Further proceedings have been scheduled to determine the appropriate remedies for the violations committed by Red Rose Rescue. These proceedings will establish the necessary legal consequences and reinforce the protective measures surrounding reproductive health services.

The victory is a part of a broader effort by the Attorney General’s office to enforce laws that protect the staff and patients of reproductive health care clinics across New York State. The state has positioned itself as a safe haven for reproductive rights, with robust legal frameworks like the FACE Act and the New York State Clinic Access Act defending the integrity of reproductive health care.

For those seeking more information or wishing to report violations of access to reproductive care, the Attorney General’s office remains a resource. Complaints can be filed through various channels provided by the Civil Rights Bureau, ensuring continued vigilance in upholding the rights to safe and accessible reproductive health services.