An Ooltewah woman was sentenced to more than three years in federal prison for using violence and threats to block people’s access to a New York City clinic that offers reproductive health care services and abortions.
Bevelyn Beatty Williams was found guilty by a jury of violating the freedom of access to clinic entrances during a two-day protest starting June 19, 2020, a judgment document shows. The sentence was announced Wednesday.
She is a founder of At the Well Ministries Inc., which is a religious nonprofit that has sought to prevent lawful abortions from occurring across America, the indictment states.
Williams regularly protested in front of a lower Manhattan medical center that has volunteers who escort patients inside. She traveled to the health center along with another woman during the pandemic to protest.
While standing outside, Williams livestreamed a video on her Facebook account, the indictment states.