This morning, the pro-life group Survivors of the Abortion Holocaust sent out a press release announcing that the Washington Surgi-Clinic is no longer taking abortion appointments. This is the notorious D.C. facility where Cesare Santangelo performs late-term abortions. A video on the Survivors YouTube page shows a receptionist at the Washington Surgi-Clinic telling a caller that the facility is currently not scheduling abortions but hopes to resume performing them in late September. Callers are instead referred to the National Abortion Federation.

This is welcome news to Washington, D.C., pro-life activists who have worked hard to expose wrongdoing at this abortion facility. This summer, the Survivors group spent over a week engaging in pro-life activism outside the building. In August, the group filed a 14-page complaint detailing a considerable amount of professional misconduct that has taken place there, including the death of a woman in 2010 and several malpractice lawsuits. In addition, a video taken by local pro-lifers shows that Santangelo’s right arm is in a cast and that he appears to need help getting around.

It is not clear why the Washington Surgi-Clinic is not currently performing abortions. It is possible that Santangelo is trying to avoid oversight. It is possible that the D.C. Department of Public Health has taken action. Regardless, local pro-lifers will continue to monitor the situation. A prayer vigil has been scheduled for September 9 at 9 p.m. outside the office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Washington, D.C. This is where local officials have kept the remains of five fully formed aborted children that were recovered by local pro-life activists outside Santangelo’s facility. Hopefully this vigil and public scrutiny will persuade local officials to properly investigate Santangelo and the tragic demise of these preborn babies.