Chicago City Council Restricts Protesters Near Medical Clinics

Main Category: Abortion
Article Date: 12 Oct 2009 - 0:00 PDT

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Protesters must stay at least eight feet away from people who are within 50 feet of Chicago medical facilities under an ordinance the City Council approved on Wednesday, the Chicago Tribune reports. The ordinance was approved 28-13 and takes effect on Nov. 17.

Alderman Vi Daley, who sponsored the ordinance, said she pushed for the measure after hearing complaints from officials at the Near North Side Planned Parenthood facility, which provides abortion services. "To me, this is all about safety," Daley said, adding, "Patients are being harassed."

Antiabortion-rights activists campaigned against the ordinance, claiming that it would violate free speech rights. Peter Breen, executive director of an antiabortion-rights law center called the Thomas More Society, said the organization intends to sue the city if the mayor does not veto the ordinance (Mihalopoulos/Schorsch, Chicago Tribune, 10/8).

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