FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          CR
TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 1995                            (202) 616-2765
                                               TDD (202) 514-1888


       WASHINGTON STATE MAN INDICTED FOR THREATENING STAFF
               OF WOMEN'S REPRODUCTIVE HEATH CLINIC


     WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A federal grand jury today indicted a
Washington State man for allegedly making threatening phone calls
to a counseling service in Wenatchee, Washington, that encourages
pregnant women to consider options other than abortion, the
Justice Department announced today.  
     It is the first case brought by the Justice Department under
the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE) challenging
actions against a facility that does not perform abortions.  The
suit is the ninth criminal case brought by the Justice Department
under the law.  The Department has brought four civil cases.
     The law, enacted in May 1994, authorizes the Justice
Department to prosecute people who use force or threats of force
against health care facilities and staff providing reproductive
health services and counseling.  
     The two-count indictment, returned today in Yakima, alleged
that on January 2, 1995, Daniel Adam Mathison called the First
Way office in Wenatchee and threatened to kill workers at the
clinic.  It also alleged that on the same day he called the
National Life Center hotline in Woodbury, New Jersey, and told an
operator that he had a gun and was going to shoot pro-life
supporters demonstrating outside of abortion clinics.  
     The First Way office, which is an affiliate of the National
Life Center, opposes abortion and encourages pregnant women to
choose other options.  
     "Congress passed the clinic access law to ensure that people
who work at reproductive health facilities can provide women with
necessary services free from violence and intimidation," said
Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Deval L. Patrick. 
"Today's case marks our continuing effort to vigorously enforce
this law."
     Count one charged Mathison with making an unlawful
interstate communication by placing a call to the National Life
Center and threatening pro-life supporters.  Count two alleged
that Mathison violated FACE by using a threat of force to
intimidate and interfere with First Way workers.
     If convicted, Mathison faces a maximum prison term of six
months and a fine up to $100,000 for the alleged FACE violation,
and a maximum prison term of five years and a fine up to $250,000
for the alleged unlawful interstate communication.   
     "In bringing these cases, we are concerned with conduct, not
beliefs," said Patrick.
     In addition to today's case, the Justice Department has
brought eight criminal actions under FACE.  In October, 1994,
Paul Hill was convicted and later sentenced under federal law to
two life terms in prison for murdering a Pensacola doctor. He was
subsequently sentenced to death following his state conviction.
In November, 1994, a federal court convicted six individuals who
blocked the entrance to a Milwaukee women's clinic.  A separate
case involving the physical obstruction of a second women's
health clinic in Milwaukee was initiated in September.  In
January, the Department filed a complaint against a woman in
Huntsville, Alabama for threatening a doctor who performed
abortions. 
     In March, a federal grand jury indicted an Albuquerque, New
Mexico man for chaining, padlocking and attempting to burn down
an Albuquerque clinic.  Two West Palm Beach, Florida men were
charged with obstructing a clinic in Lake Clark Shores and two
other men were charged with obstructing a clinic in Wichita,
Kansas.  Additionally, a man was indicted in Houston after he
smashed a windshield of a doctor who provided reproductive health
services.
     The Justice Department also has brought four civil actions
under FACE.  In December, 1994, it asked permission to enter into
an existing private civil suit against eight individuals who
blocked the entrance to a Milwaukee clinics (the blockade
resulted in the criminal conviction of six defendants listed
above).  In January, the Department filed a civil suit in Fargo,
N.D. against several individuals who blocked a clinic entrance
and engaged in threatening conduct. In February, it obtained a
preliminary injunction against an Ohio man for threatening a
doctor and his family.  In March, a federal court in Missouri
granted the first permanent injunction under FACE against a
Kansas City woman. 

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