4 Pro-Life Rescuers Released From Jail

FOUR PRO-LIFE RESCUERS RELEASED FROM JAIL, LAUREN HANDY AND JOAN ANDREWS BELL REMAIN 

ALEXANDRIA, VA (July,14th, 2022)– Early this morning at approximately 1AM, four PAAU Rescuers were released from the Alexandria Adult Detention Center after serving 2 days of their 4 day sentence. 

The activists released include Terrisa Bukovinac, Kristin Turner, Cassidy Shooltz, and Jonathan Darnel, who were each charged for trespassing during their trial on Tuesday. These charges were in response to a Pink Rose Rescue that took place on November 16th, 2021.

Upon release, PAAU founder and executive director Terrisa Bukovinac stated, "This peaceful non-violent direct action saved the lives of 5 babies. The murder of our children will not end until we are willing to make sacrifices and ensure our actions reflect the reality: that abortion is mass murder”.

PAAU Communications Director Kristin Turner stated, "After my release, I could feel the swelling support for nonviolent direct action in the pro-life movement. This progressive tradition is the only act that involves a perfect balance of identification with the unborn child, nonviolence, and physical intolerance for the killing."

Rescuers Lauren Handy and Joan Andrews Bell remain in jail serving their longer sentence. They are both expected to be released within the next 13 days. 

Tonight at 6PM, activists including Terrisa Bukovinac and Kristin Turner will gather again at the detention center (2001 Mill Rd, Alexandria, VA 2231) for a noise demonstration to stand in solidarity with Lauren and Joan. They will be available for interview at this time.

Press contact: Caroline Taylor Smith carolinesmith@paaunow.org 919.525.4431