This past week, Anastasia Rogers, a Bay area pro-life activist affiliated with Survivors of the Abortion Holocaust won an important legal victory. Anastasia has been in legal trouble after posting an online video in January poking fun at an abortion facility escort. She was accused of violating California’s Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act. The FACE Act makes it illegal to film clinic volunteers near an abortion facility if prosecutors can show the images were intended to intimidate and cause fear. Anastasia’s May trial ended in a mistrial after a hung jury. It appeared, though that prosecutors were going to try her a second time.

However, last week the court accepted Anastasia’s diversion agreement. This is a nice win for Anastasia and San Francisco pro-lifers. Anastasia has to remove the online video and cannot go within 100 feet of this particular abortion clinic escort. Anastasia is still allowed to sidewalk counsel at the San Francisco Planned Parenthood and importantly, she did not have to admit guilt. Furthermore, all charges will be dropped on September 23, 2026, if Anastasia remains in compliance with the law.

Despite the positive outcome, this case shows why many pro-lifers are concerned about federal and state level FACE Acts. These laws are often used by law enforcement to target pro-lifers engaged in legitimate forms of protest. In this case Anastasia had to stand trial, even though the prosecution’s case was weak. At the trial, the clinic escort who was videotaped testified that she did not feel threatened or intimidated on the day that the video occurred. Furthermore, a supermajority of jurors supported Anastasia’s acquittal. Overall, Life Legal Defense Foundation deserves recognition for their outstanding legal work defending Anastasia’s First Amendment rights.