logo
Brief Publisher Logo
FACT BRIEF

Did the Biden-Harris administration imprison anti-abortion activists for praying in public?

By Tom Kertscher
View this fact brief on Wisconsin Watch
Copy link
email
Copy featured image
email
NO

Former President Donald Trump’s campaign provided no evidence, and we found none, to back Trump's claim that the Biden-Harris administration imprisoned anti-abortion activists for praying in public.

Referring to Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump said Sept. 7, 2024 in Mosinee, Wisconsin: "Under Comrade Kamala, Christians and pro-life activists are rotting in prison for the crime of praying in public."

Similar prayer claims were debunked after Massachusetts anti-abortion activist Paulette Harlow was sentenced in June to two years in prison for blockading a Washington, D.C., abortion clinic.

Federal law prohibits threats of force, obstruction and property damage intended to interfere with reproductive health care services.

In April, Wisconsin Watch found it was false that Colorodan Rebecca Lavrenz was prosecuted for praying in the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.

She was convicted of four misdemeanors, including entering and remaining, and disorderly conduct, in a restricted building.

See a full discussion of this at Wisconsin Watch
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
WFAA Donald Trump full rally in Mosinee, WI (Sept. 7, 2024)
USA Today No, woman not imprisoned for praying at abortion clinic
Associated Press Anti-abortion activist convicted for blockading a reproductive health clinic, not for praying there
Reuters Fact Check: Paulette Harlow convicted for blocking abortion clinic, not praying
U.S. Justice Department Protecting Patients and Health Care Providers
Wisconsin Watch Was great-grandmother prosecuted for praying in Capitol Jan. 6?
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR
Wisconsin Watch
Wisconsin Watch, the news arm of the nonpartisan, nonprofit Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, increases the quality and quantity of investigative reporting in Wisconsin, while training current and future investigative journalists. Its work fosters an informed citizenry and strengthens democracy.
FACT BRIEF BY
Brief Publisher Logo
Latest fact briefs from Wisconsin Watch
facebook
twitter
email
email
About fact briefs published on Gigafact
Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.