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Published: January 29, 2009
Know the law, stand your ground
Security guard calls police on pro-lifers outside Planned Parenthood abortion clinic in San Diego, but officers make no arrests once law is explained to them
News from the Trenches
By 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24, two members of Helpers of God's Precious Infants were starting their rosaries and litanies on the sidewalk in front of Planned Parenthood at First and Grape in San Diego. Since 7:15 a sidewalk counselor had been handing flyers to young women and couples entering the clinic. The flyers included photos and stories of Edwina Goode, Diana Lopez, and Holly Patterson -- all young women whose deaths in the last few years were caused by Planned Parenthood in California.
Sometime around 8 a.m., the husky Latina security guard called the San Diego police to complain that the sidewalk counselor was blocking access to the clinic. Within a minute two young policemen drove up and interviewed the guard. She showed them copies of San Diego's "bubble law," which requires anyone to stay 15 feet away from those entering or exiting a "health care facility" if those clients ask the person to stay away.
 The young policemen at first took the copy of the ordinance to the sidewalk counselor and told him he needed to stay 15 feet away from the clinic entrance. The counselor read to them the pertinent line about the person entering or exiting, and at first the police tried to say that the guard could act as "an agent" for people coming in. The counselor insisted that this was not the law and that the Planned Parenthood client has to do the requesting. "Check with your supervisor, if you have any doubt," the pro-lifer advised the police. After some conferring with the guard, the police agreed that as long as the counselors backed off when asked to do so by clients, there would be no problem.
By the time the police visit was over, five more prayer warriors joined the Helpers praying the Rosary, and about 9 a.m. five evangelicals who wear the bright red LIFE tape on their mouths showed up and stood silently next to the Helpers praying, occasionally reading Scripture.
One young Latino couple was approached in their car as they parked up the street and were thankful as they took the flyer. They entered the clinic but came out after several minutes and repeated their thank-you to the pro-lifers.
At 8:15, an older man driving a Cadillac SUV barreled into the driveway back to the rear lot, never again to emerge. The security guard followed him on foot, presumably to let him (the abortionist?) into the back entrance.
By 10 a.m. enough clients had willingly accepted the warning flyers about Planned Parenthood, the guard began following others to the rear lot and apparently escorting them into the rear entrance.
-- Carlos Bey
Posted Thursday, January 29, 2009 10:03 AM By pete salveinini
This is how we will stop abortion, by convincing people one by one (but on a massive scale!) through prayer AND action.
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Posted Thursday, January 29, 2009 2:35 PM By Laurette Elsberry
Yes, Pete has it right. Prayer and action is what is required.... Just yesterday I received my American Family Association (AFA) Journal. There is a column entited, "That's what Christians do now". Originally published in 1999 it comments on some of the worst evils in our country. The leading sentence to each comment starts: "Me? I go to church, the minister preaches, I go home". The evils, in order of appearance: Abortion, pornography, divorce, homosexuality, illegitimacy, gambling, anti-christianity. We still have those evils with us, unbelievably worse than in 1999. But what do most Christians do? They go to church, the minister preaches, they go home.... The folks at the abortion centers are the Christians for whom inaction is not an option. God bless them and provide them with his graces - and more helpers until this scourge is no more..
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Posted Thursday, January 29, 2009 2:42 PM By garvan
The prolife counselors were lucky this time, but next time they may get arrested. If tried in court, please spread the word: if you or someone you know gets on a prolifer's jury, don't forget a juror's right to vote "not guilty", no matter what the judge's instructions. This right has been a part of U.S. jurisprudence since colonial days. Look up the Peter Zenger trial on your search engine.
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Posted Thursday, January 29, 2009 2:50 PM By Life Lady
Great work, to the counselor and the prayer warriors. You must really be making an impact on them if the guard had to walk people in the back door. More prayer and more presence is called for. Let us hope that San Diego is lighting a fire that will blaze into life for all the unborn in danger of abortion.
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Posted Thursday, January 29, 2009 3:40 PM By Elizabeth
If Planned Parenthood 'thinks' they are in the right... Why are they such cowards?
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Posted Thursday, January 29, 2009 7:48 PM By Brian--Canada
Is there a law against using a camera and taking pictures of persons entering or leaving a Planned Parenthood Abortion Clinic?
If not why not use inexpensive cameras to photograph those walking up to the Clinics? Police regularly take video of union picket lines etc. to use in court and to identify those accused of causing trouble etc. If OK for police, it must be OK for those opposed to abortions to photograph people and those not entering can be easily erased from digital cameras. I am sure that the Planned Parenthood premises have video surveylance cameras in operation --- good for the goose is good for the gander!
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Posted Friday, January 30, 2009 12:27 PM By John
I agree. It is best to be informed about your rights when taking on an issue in public. As a clergy abuse survivor, as well as someone who abhores the murder of the unborn, I would suggest that, when catholics meet for a demonstration, they should: (1) Inform the local police department the day of your action, along with a copy of your leaflet, if you have any. In this way, if you need assistance from the police, they will be aware and respond; (2) Bring one or more video cameras in order to document your actions, but especially those who might be there to oppose you. In this way, if there is any trouble, you will have on the spot action proof of who started the trouble; (3) Lastly remain calm and do not yell, scream, or do anything to provoke those who would love to provoke you. This method worked for Gandhi and it will work for you. Remember, by trying to save the unborn, you are doing the Lord's work and you are acting in HIS name.
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Posted Friday, January 30, 2009 1:13 PM By Charles
Brian-Canada. I don't know about Canada, but in the US, it is not against the law to take someone's picture if they are out in public. Take all the papparazzi stalking celebrities for photos. It is what one does with those photos that is questionable.
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Posted Friday, January 30, 2009 4:17 PM By Paula
Charles, but stalking can be against the law, whether one does anything with the photos or not.
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Posted Friday, January 30, 2009 5:20 PM By Joseph S.
The fight against FOCA begins
Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow - 1/28/2009 7:00:00 AM
Pro-life groups are gearing up to combat the Freedom of Choice Act. Brad Mattes, executive director of Life Issues Institute, says the Freedom of Choice Act, or FOCA, is a dangerous bill that President Barack Obama has promised to sign. "FOCA, the Freedom of Choice Act, would kick to the curb every protective law that has been passed by Congress, state legislatures, or local communities," he explains. FOCA would promote partial-birth abortion and ban parental-notification laws, according to Mattes. However, he has not lost hope. "If FOCA is brought through committee and to the floor of the House and the Senate as an entire bill, I think our chances are better at stopping it," he notes. Mattes says those chances diminish if it is attached to other bills piecemeal. He points out it is vital for the grassroots voice to be heard. 'That's why this petition against FOCA is so critically important to fighting it because no matter what form it takes, we need to let Congress know that a majority of Americans oppose this radical pro-abortion agenda," he concludes. A petition can be signed against FOCA at the Life Issues Institute website.
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Posted Saturday, January 31, 2009 1:59 PM By Charles
Joseph S, the question was about the legality of taking someone's picture if they are in a public place. Yes, stalking is against the law, but is very hard to prove. If the courts could play the "stalking card" against the papparazzi, it would be wonderful.
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Posted Friday, February 13, 2009 4:49 PM By Talitha Kumi
John, your advice is timely and practical. I thank you. There will be prayer 24/7 on behalf of the unborn (and the misgiuded) beginning Ash Wednesday up into Easter Glorious Morning where i live. As i'm not a leader of this effort I do not want to overstep my place nor put anything in jeopardy by saying more than that here.
Our organizers probably already know most if not all these helpful points you have detailed here, but just in case they do not I will want to ask them about these as they relate to our particular jurisdiction. Although this is my first prayer warrior experience i can't imagine ever ceasing before the slaughter does.
The unborn need prayers and little sacrifices especially during these 40 days of Lent 2009. Even non-catholic christians and non-christians. Please now more than ever, let us deny ourselves those "little extras" and offer it to God. It is only forty days out of a lifetime. It is just one of the things that we can actually DO besides fretting over this decay that is trying to overwhelm God's creation. Thank you most sweetly my Brothers and Sisters in Arms.
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