Abortion Protest Laws

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Julcatholic

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Hello,
I live in western New York. I am interested in peacefully protesting at a local abortion clinic. I am interested to know the legal rights one has protesting. This clinic has no sidewalk. It has a fence, which has a grassy area before it. That is where I would like to stand. I am hoping to learn what rights I have to stand there, so if I am confronted I can exercise my rights. Thanks !!😀
 
This is not the proper place to seek legal advice. Talk to a lawyer. I think you’re trying to do a great thing. But under no circumstances should you take anyone’s advice on this forum in a matter like this.
 
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It would make more sense to protest at your state capital.
 
Julcatholic said:
Hello,
I live in western New York. I am interested in peacefully protesting at a local abortion clinic. I am interested to know the legal rights one has protesting. This clinic has no sidewalk. It has a fence, which has a grassy area before it. That is where I would like to stand. I am hoping to learn what rights I have to stand there, so if I am confronted I can exercise my rights. Thanks !!😀
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The thing to do at the clinic is not to protest, it’s to keep vigil. You are attending what amounts to a modern day crucifixion scene where innocent human beings are slaughtered inside.
Watch and pray, and if you have the opportunity to offer assistance to a pregnant woman, you may save a child. That is not protesting, that is participating in social justice. Many dioceses offer training in how to approach a woman in need. Many of them are on the fence about an abortion, and many children have been saved when assistance and comfort are offered.
Watch and pray.
 
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If nothing else dramatic happens, your prayerful presence witnesses to the hidden suffering of the unborn.
Someone ought to notice and acknowledge.
 
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The answer is, yes you probably can. For starters, regardless of your denomination, you can contact the Diocese of Buffalo office of prolife activities. They may give you some suggestions, but may also give contact info on a few local programs.

There is no one size fits all for WNY, or any city. The problem is a court order may exist (as at the Buffalo clinic) which limits, but not stop, prayer vigils there. There could be other rules at other clinics in WNY.

There are rules on what you can and cannot do, where you can stand, etc. Follow the rules. Get a partner to go with you, or find out when others usually stand there (best option). Don’t go alone, or with a total rookie…but GO.
 
Thanks! Do you have any resources on any of the rules/regulations. Ive had a hard time finding them!! Thanks again!😊
 
At our clinic in Ohio you may not go over the sidewalk on to clinic property. And you may not impede the movements of either the clients or the "escorts, either coming or going. You can talk to people but not impede their movements. That includes cars.
There are always police on duty to protect the rights of the clinic. (what a sad way to make a buck…)

Those that
 
40 Days for Life have just finished their Lent campaign, but it might be worth looking at their site to see where they held their prayer vigils near you
 
Or, spend the same amount of time volunteering at a crisis pregnancy center 🙂
 
goout said:
At our clinic in Ohio you may not go over the sidewalk on to clinic property. And you may not impede the movements of either the clients or the "escorts, either coming or going. You can talk to people but not impede their movements. That includes cars.
There are always police on duty to protect the rights of the clinic. (what a sad way to make a buck…)

Those that
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This is likely common in most cities.
You can’t impede anyone. Even shouting or screaming should be avoided. There may be places where you can or cannot stand, which varies by clinic, sometimes painted on the sidewalk.
Police can appear, but usually are not at clinics I have seen. You may find further info at Sidewalk Advocates for life, and at 40 days for life. Both are in WNY.

Start with your diocesan prolife office. Don’t trust everything on the internet, even if it is sincere and we’ll intentioned.
 
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I would suggest that if you are totally new to this activity, you contact your local chapter of Right to Life. Or, as someone suggested, your diocesan pro-life office.

They typically can give you guidelines on what you should and should not do in your local area. They are generally very familiar with the laws because they protest regularly at many clinics.

As someone already mentioned, we cannot give legal advice over the Internet. Also, state and local laws may be slightly different depending on where you are.
 
MIkeB11 said:
No rule here but some advice, if you wear a MAGA hat and smirk or glower at a Native American half your height, the evils of abortion will not get any media coverage, you and your President will get all the coverage.
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or to put your comment more succinctly:
“Hey, look over there!”
 
I back what others say about contacting your Diocese or Right to Life. Consider tagging along with some more seasoned people, like your parish Respect Life group if they do a weekly Rosary, to get a feel for things. I’ll add that it’s not uncommon for clinics to turn on the sprinklers. You’re approaching summertime, so consider wearing an old pair of shorts and taking the “shower” with a sense of humor.

Finally, (and I really don’t mean to insult your intelligence here), be sure to represent the pro-life movement and Catholic faith with kindness and grace. It’s not only how Christ calls to act, but it’s also strategic. You win over more hearts this way, and the clinic can’t make inflammatory claims about feeling harassed, intimidated, victimized, or whatever. :roll_eyes:
 
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Remember it’s a Prayer Vigil, not a protest. The “clinic” will video you. If they can catch one person acting aggressively, they will use that, in different ways, to hurt prolife.
People may scream at you from passing cars, or even come to the site. No matter what they say, do not respond in kind.

Have available low key, non graphic literature available. Find out when there is an established group going there - weekly at 2 PM for instance - join them. Ask advice.

Don’t go alone and don’t go without praying first. Consider this spiritual warfare, but with a smile. The real enemy isn’t working at that clinic, or even in the government or media.
 
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blackforest said:
Finally, (and I really don’t mean to insult your intelligence here), be sure to represent the pro-life movement and Catholic faith with kindness and grace. It’s not only how Christ calls to act, but it’s also strategic.
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Years ago, I represented a group from Operation Rescue pro bono..

This was a very civilized group, and they’d thrown out the folks that threw themselves in front of vehicles and the like.

I asked if he could testify to this (I didn’t want the defendants on the stand), and he said that, no, that wouldn’t be a good idea.

Why, I asked?

“Because I was one of them.”

🤣:crazy_face::roll_eyes:
 
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