Lawyer Arrested After Incident with Pro-Life Protesters

A lawyer was taken into custody on Sunday after allegedly displaying what looked like a grenade at pro-life demonstrators outside a progressive church in Conway, South Carolina.

Richard Loveless, 79, was recorded engaging with activists outside St. Anne’s Episcopal Church while holding what he asserted was a hand grenade. The video, captured by Abortion Holocaust Survivors, shows Loveless interacting with the protesters. He has, for decades, practiced law in the area and is currently held at the Horry County Jail, according to records.

Jessica Newell, a Survivors organizer, recounted the moment to the Daily Caller News Foundation, expressing her initial impression of Loveless as someone hoping to have a discussion. She noted, “He said, ‘This is a gift to the protesters. It’s a grenade.'” Interestingly, she mentioned not having had any prior encounters with him.

She called the police about five minutes after Loveless revealed the grenade, prompting their arrival and subsequent arrest of the lawyer. The video footage shows officers restraining Loveless as he was taken to a police car with lights flashing. Newell indicated to the police that she wasn’t sure if the grenade was authentic but wanted to ensure that Loveless didn’t present a danger.

There has been no response from the Conway Police or the Lovelace Law Firm regarding this incident.

A representative from the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina stated, “We fully respect the right of citizens to peacefully protest and do not condone actions that could be perceived as a threat in any way,” but refrained from providing further specifics about what transpired.

Since the September 10 killing of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, advocates for survivors have reported an uptick in threats. Christine Dorsey, another organizer within the movement, recounted a recent incident where a man pulled a knife on students discussing abortion at San Bernardino Valley College in California, which was also caught on video.

“We’ve been coming to campus for years, and while we’ve always faced some threats—an occasional shove or being spat on—the frequency of violent threats has really escalated,” Dorsey noted.

Interestingly, the national Episcopal Church supports abortion as a woman’s right. Survivors claim St. Anne’s Church aligns with this view, promoting itself as an institution of “radical love and inclusivity” for diverse groups. However, the church’s diocese refuted claims that it backs the Palmetto State Abortion Fund, which assists women seeking abortions, stating that church leadership is unclear on the origin of that claim but asserts it is not accurate.

Newell articulated her frustration with Loveless, emphasizing the value of dialogue even with critics over the abortion debate. “I want him to know I’m open to discussion and that his views are valid and deserve a platform, just like mine,” she remarked. “It’s disappointing that this conversation shifted in such a negative direction.”