Sacramento Considers "No Protest Zone" Near Abortion Businesses

LifeNews.com ^ | December 2, 2003 | Steven Ertelt

[nickcarraway]

Sacramento, CA (LifeNews.com) -- Prompted by some local leaders, the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors is considering a proposal that would place "no protest zones" around area abortion businesses.

One local abortion facility, Women's Health Specialists, already has a 20-foot zone in place thanks to an order issued by a local judge. Now county officials are considering extending similar anti-protest zones around all local abortion centers.

Three members of the board staged a press conference at the state capitol to announce their support for the idea.

"Those who wish to offer a different opinion are able to do so, but they are not going to be permitted -- under this ordinance -- to do so in a way that interferes with the legitimate exercise of an equally important right," Supervisor Roger Dickinson told KRCA-TV.

Since the late 1980's there have been no major protests in California, such as those groups like Operation Rescue organized in the past. In addition, none of the five protesters that were involved in the original lawsuit that led to the original 20-foot zone around Women's Health Specialists have protested abortions in two years and three of the five haven't participated in a protest in more than a decade.

That prompts pro-life attorneys to say there is no need for the protest free area.

"The buffer zone is useless due to the non-participation of those enjoined and [abortion] clinic employees are desperate," says Dana Cody, Executive Director of the Life Legal Defense Foundation.

"Enter three pandering county supervisors beholding to abortion zealots," Cody added. "Now we will waste county resources debating a dead issue."

Another pro-life attorney, Cyrus Zal, argues such a law would limit the free speech rights of pro-life protesters and would cost the county because of expected lawsuits against it.

The supervisors will vote on the issue next Tuesday. San Diego and San Francisco have similar no-protest zones in place.

[nickcarraway]

Do you have any proof that there are constant threats of violence, etc.? Because there aren't. The fact is that there is more violence towards the pro-life demonstrators, than vice versa. Check the stats. Average houswives get manhandled by burly bouncers.

And regrettably there have been a very few murders and bombings. But the media protrays it as more common than it is. There was a lot more violence by Vietnam protestors and civil rights activists, but no one suggests their rights should have been curtailed. They were generally able to get away with illegal acts.

[You Gotta Be Kidding Me]

"I'll just say this...abortion clinics would not be able to have a "protest free area" if it weren't for the constant threats of violence and actual murders and bombings that have occurred at abortion clinics. The pro-lifers shot themselves in the foot on that one."

Just like some Jews were mean to Adolph Hitler when he was a child and so ALL Jews have themselves to blame for what Hitler did. Yeah, right. Give us a break. Free speech is free speech.

[Campion]

I'll just say this...abortion clinics would not be able to have a "protest free area" if it weren't for the constant threats of violence and actual murders and bombings that have occurred at abortion clinics.

If there weren't "actual murders" occurring legally inside the so-called "clinics" every day, there wouldn't be any protesters to ban.

[Augustinefan]

It's funny...the only people who do any "protesting" in front of the abortuary in Sac are the Catholics for Life who have a once a month Mass and then process to the front of the abortuary after Mass to say a Rosary. The news shots were of ONE day this year where we had to really pound to get people out there.

And, let me tell you, those nuns in habits, rosaries in hand sure are a menacing bunch! I think the supervisors are trying to make something out of nothing. Ironically, they tried to get us to stop doing sonograms at the Sacramento Life Center but the case was dismissed because we're lucky enough to have some really dedicated medical directors and nurses on staff. Bottom line...they are seeing their numbers drop for abortions and they are in panic mode, trying to make it look like the extremists are blocking access. I guess there's nothing worse than seeing people get a conscience!

Morons.

[Augustinefan]

Hmm.....35 million + versus ....uh....two?

[BibChr]

That's about what I'm thinking.

Notice I haven't gotten any answers?

Dan

[Augustinefan]

ROFLMAO!!!!

I LIVE here! The only "threat" the gray hairs and nuns seem to have is a potential of fainting from standing too long praying in front of the abortuary and blocking the sidewalk! LOL

You really need to come and witness a "demonstration" here before you say that! One of the biggest problems we've had out here is the lack of protesters! Most people out this way are pretty conservative (except within the Sac county limits) and they vote that way to prove it. The numbers are equal to a handful. And, here's the kicker...we usually stand 20 feet away already! LOL...this really is laughable.

[Augustinefan]

After doing years of hotline counselling, I would have to say you are accurate in the statement of ignorance. The only real problem we have, once the education process is addressed is the hard heartedness of some women. This generation has grown very cold and have a strong "me-first" attitude. The Sacramento Life Center does sonograms, and most times, it's very effective. In some cases, though, it wouldn't matter. The hard cases are simply already decided and they see the baby as infringing on their rights...whether it's a real human being with feelings or not.

Those are the ones I dread getting on a phone.

[hattend]

Prompted by some local leaders politicians, the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors is considering a proposal that would place "no protest zones" around area abortion businesses county offices, city hall, and the state capitol.

Where will they stop? The first amendment is becoming irrelevent.

[concerned about politics]

they tried to get us to stop doing sonograms at the Sacramento Life Center

Why would they even try that? What's wrong with showing a mother her child? There's no harm to the mother or child here.

[madprof98]

If they're going to throw away the constitution, why not just shoot the protestors on sight?

Don't give them any more ideas!

[Augustinefan]

Because it WORKS!

[m1-lightning]

F.Y.I.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Let alone, it must really stink to be in the abortion business in a city that is half queer.

[TheAngryClam]

They called abortion equally important to freedom of speech?

Because, yeah, you know, Give me liberty or give me an abortion! makes so much sense.

[VeniVidiVici]

On the news this morning, there was a blurb about such zones being ruled unconstitutional.

I thought SCOTUS ruled just last year that buffer zones around abortion clinics were unconstitutional.

[Salvation]

No need to protest. Just stand (or kneel) and say the Rosary!

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[EricT.]

I lived in Sacramento County for the last 8 years and never once heard of anyone protesting an abortion mill there. They might as well enact a 20 foot "no Sasquatch" zone while they're at it.

[T'wit]

>> I was trolling DUmmies a few weeks ago, and they really do believe a fetus is a blob of jello

The scientific term for that is "projection." These dummies reason as follows: "I am a lifeless, mindless, soulless, useless, really obnoxious blob of jello; therefore everybody else has to be one too."