Also in attendance was Jack O’Brien, 87, who has worked for the unborn in the past with The King’s Men.
O’Brien called the FACE law “bogus” and “obscenity” and said, “We believe the charges will be dismissed.”
Ryan-Marie Houck, Houck’s wife, told CNA at the courthouse that on Jan. 23, the couple prayed all night before the Blessed Sacrament during Eucharistic adoration in preparation for the trial, which begins at 9 a.m. Jan. 25.
Brendan Whitaker, a Catholic and supporter of Houck who was also at the courthouse, told CNA he was one of 40-50 people who joined the Houcks in prayer at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Sellersville, Pennsylvania.
Whitaker, of Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, said about 25 people continued to pray past midnight and said the group prayed at least three rosaries and some other scriptural prayers.
Some of Houck’s siblings were present at court, along with members of his wife’s family. The couple’s children were not there.
However, the Houcks’ teenage son, Mark Houck Jr., will stand on the witness stand at trial.
Houck is represented by a legal team of four attorneys: Brian McMonagle of McMonagle, Perri, McHugh, Mischak & Davis; Peter Breen, executive vice president of Thomas More Society and head of litigation; Michael McHale, senior advisor to Thomas More Society; and Andrew Bath, executive vice president and general counsel of Thomas More Society.
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The Department of Justice (DOJ) is represented by Anita Eve of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; Ashley Martin, also of the US law firm; and Sanjay Patel of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, Washington, DC criminal section
Gerald Pappert is the chairman. Pappert said on Tuesday that jury deliberations could begin as early as Thursday.
See more photos from the rally below.