Lessons from the Trial of Mark Houck

A great victory has come out of Philadelphia as Mark Houck, founder of The King’s Men, father of 7, and a dedicated sidewalk counselor was found not guilty of violating the FACE Act. Mark was facing 10 years in federal prison and a nearly half-a-million dollar fine for blocking women from entering Planned Parenthood and hurting a clinic escort.

Passed in 1994, the FACE Act (Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances) prohibits anyone using force or threatening anyone entering abortion facilities. The prosecution used Mark Houck as an example of this law. Many others will learn their fate, especially those involved with recent Red Rose Rescues and other unconfrontational ways to persuade women to consider choosing a life-saving option for themselves and their baby.

On the day the federal jury was deadlocked on the verdict, I had the chance to watch Mark take the stand. He was bombarded time and time again by the prosecution. The goal was to backtrack his testimony, yet he stayed the course. At one point, Mark even proclaimed God from the witness stand that it blew the mind of the judge.

Looking back at the experience, I realized that there were lessons from his trial.

Be Not Afraid

The Bible has given us the "be not afraid" phrase 365 times in both the Old and New Testaments. That is equivalent to a daily reminder. It sure was needed in Mark’s case. Mark wasn’t even afraid to proclaim Christ when he took the stand. We too must not be ashamed to proclaim our faith everywhere we go. With his acquittal, we must rise up and carry on the mantle many pro-lifers have before us.

Be Ready for Battle

Houck even mentioned that he goes to battle when he is outside of abortion facilities. Likewise, those who wanted to destroy him were going to battle with him. This battle, as St. Paul reminds us, is not flesh and blood. Rather, it was more of a spiritual one to save souls. Since he was a teenager, Mark has been in the trenches. He has instilled these views on to his children, especially the son who was harassed and scared by a disturbed, angry escort for Planned Parenthood.

Planned Parenthood Lied

In addition to saturating their numbers on abortion with other medical services, Planned Parenthood attempted to cover up the altercation. Thankfully, there were cameras that captured vantage points of the incident. Even people on both sides shared what really happened that day from pro-life counselors to even workers and volunteers for Planned Parenthood. The top defense lawyer in Philadelphia pointed out that a video was erased after 24 hours. 

Now, to their credit, they did inform the escort to not volunteer at any of their facilities after the incident took place. Their manual book stated that "no verbal or physical engagement is allowed between them and pro-life protestors". 

Biden’s Justice Department Waited Too Long

It took the Justice department less than a year to go after Houck. For one of the defense attorneys, it was “all about politics”. Indeed, he has a point. The Biden Administration used Houck for a smear campaign to discourage pro-lifers from stepping out onto the sidewalk to pray and offer life-affirming resources for women in their hour of great need. Even Houck was innocent by the Municipal Court

Double Standard of Biden’s Justice Department

Does the next lesson need any explanation? Okay, it does. Biden’s Justice Department is trying to convict innocent pro-lifers. Yet, we are getting crickets on the 250 and counting churches and pregnancy resource centers firebombed, vandalized, and even assaulted other conservatives. This has been the inconsistency we have seen unfold for two years.

Let us celebrate this victory. Many of these men and women who the lawless justice department is prosecuting are martyrs in our midst.

Let justice continue to prevail for these innocent foot soldiers. Let's not be afraid to step out of our comfort zones for the unborn.