March 27, 2003
Clinic Protesters Win in Court
By Steve Jordahl, CitizenLink Correspondent
SUMMARY: Another court victory for abortion clinic protesters.
This one came in California.
If Planned Parenthood wants to keep abortion protesters from coming
right up to a California abortion clinic's doors, it will have
to take each person or organization to court. That is what a California
state appeals court ruled recently.
Under the ruling, pro-lifers would be able to protest in front
of an abortion clinic, even if the court had ruled that a different
group had to stand at least 15 feet away. Operation Rescue National
Director Flip Benham couldn't be happier with the outcome.
"I'm glad for the ruling," Benham said. "I'm glad that Christians
can allow the theology of the church house to become biography
in the streets, and that we can actually give mothers a real choice."
Benham can't understand why anyone would consider pro-life protesters
a threat.
"When you see us, you'll find us praying and praising and proclaiming
the Word of God," Benham said. "That is what the enemy can't stand,
and that is what they want to push off the streets."
The decision comes on the heels of a Supreme Court ruling in NOW
v. Scheidler -- a case that also protected the rights of protesters.
Wendy Wright, senior policy director at Concerned Women for America,
is encouraged by what is becoming a trend.
"Finally the courts are recognizing that you cannot find someone
guilty just by association," Wright said. "Injunctions only apply
to the people who are named on it."
Wright hopes these court victories buoy those who speak out for
the preborn.
"It's encouraging to see some victories on behalf of pro-lifers.
This is an encouragement for people to hang in there, to persevere,
to not give up."
Planned Parenthood says it will cost thousands of dollars to rid
its clinics of all protesters.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Counseling women on keeping their babies
is a high calling. Focus on the Family offers several resources
for those whose care and concern for women -- and their preborn
children -- leads in that direction. We suggest you begin with
"Answering the Call: Saving Innocent Lives One Woman at a Time,"
By John Ensor.
http://www.family.org/resources/itempg/cfm?temid=3498&refcd=CE03CCZL&tvar=no
