Should picketing be allowed outside abortion clinics?

[manlymatt83]

Some think it's freedom of speech, and people should be allowed to do this. Other think it's impeding on a legal service and should be considered either trespassing (though I believe they mostly do it on public land, sidewalks, etc.).

What are your thoughts?

 

[SammyJr]

As long as they don't block access to the clinic and remain on public property, then it is their right.

 

[StageLeft]

Yes

 

[manlymatt83]

Originally posted by: SammyJr
As long as they don't block access to the clinic and remain on public property, then it is their right.

I agree. Pro-choice or not, I feel like it's hypocritical for people to say it shouldn't be allowed. Pro-choice people want their freedom(s), but won't allow others to express their opinions to the public?

Position: Neutral

 

[surfsatwerk]

Arrest them and throw them all in jail. The protesters are using fear and intimidation in an attempt to prevent women from accessing health care. They're nothing more than petty thugs who hide behind the bible.

 

[Kirby]

Originally posted by: SammyJr
As long as they don't block access to the clinic and remain on public property, then it is their right.

This.

Why do you hate America, manlymatt83?

 

[Slick5150]

I would also add the clause that they can't harass (try to block entrance, photograph, etc..) patients going into the clinic. If you want to express your views, fine, but you can't deny others their rights as well.

 

[manlymatt83]

Originally posted by: nkgreen

Originally posted by: SammyJr
As long as they don't block access to the clinic and remain on public property, then it is their right.

This.

Why do you hate America, manlymatt83?

I don't. I agree that they should be allowed to.

 

[manlymatt83]

Originally posted by: surfsatwerk
Arrest them and throw them all in jail. The protesters are using fear and intimidation in an attempt to prevent women from accessing health care. They're nothing more than petty thugs who hide behind the bible.

I know people who are pro-life and consider themselves liberal and non-religious in every other means.

And this:

http://www.democratsforlife.org

Not everyone is a bible thumper.

 

[manlymatt83]

Originally posted by: Slick5150
I would also add the clause that they can't harass (try to block entrance, photograph, etc..) patients going into the clinic. If you want to express your views, fine, but you can't deny others their rights as well.

Oh hell yes. Hands down agree.

 

[surfsatwerk]

Originally posted by: manlymatt83

Originally posted by: surfsatwerk
Arrest them and throw them all in jail. The protesters are using fear and intimidation in an attempt to prevent women from accessing health care. They're nothing more than petty thugs who hide behind the bible.

I know people who are pro-life and consider themselves liberal and non-religious in every other means.

And this:

http://www.democratsforlife.org

Not everyone is a bible thumper.

I volunteered for a time to escort women from the parking lot into a PP clinic. The fact that those women needed someone to ensure they could walk 30ft into the clinic is disgusting. I may be wrong about labeling them all bible thugs, I can only speak from my personal experience with the scumbag "protesters" I encountered.

 

[Genx87]

Originally posted by: surfsatwerk

Originally posted by: manlymatt83

Originally posted by: surfsatwerk
Arrest them and throw them all in jail. The protesters are using fear and intimidation in an attempt to prevent women from accessing health care. They're nothing more than petty thugs who hide behind the bible.

I know people who are pro-life and consider themselves liberal and non-religious in every other means.

And this:

http://www.democratsforlife.org

Not everyone is a bible thumper.

I volunteered for a time to escort women from the parking lot into a PP clinic. The fact that those women needed someone to ensure they could walk 30ft into the clinic is disgusting. I may be wrong about labeling them all bible thugs, I can only speak from my personal experience with the scumbag "protesters" I encountered.

You probably feel the same way about union members picketing then right?

 

[surfsatwerk]

Originally posted by: Genx87

Originally posted by: surfsatwerk

I volunteered for a time to escort women from the parking lot into a PP clinic. The fact that those women needed someone to ensure they could walk 30ft into the clinic is disgusting. I may be wrong about labeling them all bible thugs, I can only speak from my personal experience with the scumbag "protesters" I encountered.

You probably feel the same way about union members picketing then right?

Entirely different issue. You can't compare a company to a woman who is usually scared half to death. Granted the clinic is the supposed target of abortion protesters but it is the clients who must pass through the gauntlet of abuse to enter the facility.

 

[manlymatt83]

I consider myself pro-choice because I don't feel like I should be able to tell a girl what to do with her own body, but emotionally, I'm not a big fan of abortion - but is anyone really a fan?

Also, I knew a girl who didn't want to get an abortion but her parents were making her. At that time, she lived at home, couldn't afford to move out, but wanted to put it up for adoption. Even had an adoption family ready I believe. But her parents forced her. When she went to the clinic, the picketers almost gave her a shot at influencing her mom enough not to force her to do it. If that makes sense. They actually ended up leaving.

It's a fine line, but I don't think it hurts anyone.

Also, I'm not religious, but I do believe those are babies in there.... and I'm not saying abortion shouldn't happen, I just wish it was closer to the 2% failure rate of birth control instead of the 40% or so it's at.

 

[manlymatt83]

Originally posted by: surfsatwerk

Originally posted by: Genx87

Originally posted by: surfsatwerk

I volunteered for a time to escort women from the parking lot into a PP clinic. The fact that those women needed someone to ensure they could walk 30ft into the clinic is disgusting. I may be wrong about labeling them all bible thugs, I can only speak from my personal experience with the scumbag "protesters" I encountered.

You probably feel the same way about union members picketing then right?

Entirely different issue. You can't compare a company to a woman who is usually scared half to death. Granted the clinic is the supposed target of abortion protesters but it is the clients who must pass through the gauntlet of abuse to enter the facility.

I agree. I can't imagine how afraid normal girls must be doing that. I like Massachusetts law - people can picket, but they have to be a certain distance from the clinic.

 

[MotF Bane]

Originally posted by: SammyJr
As long as they don't block access to the clinic and remain on public property, then it is their right.

/thread

 

[soulcougher73]

Originally posted by: SammyJr
As long as they don't block access to the clinic and remain on public property, then it is their right.

This.

 

[Medellon]

I get a kick out of you all who say they should not be allowed to picket. What the hell did Acorn and the Black Panther thugs do? They intimidated people and blocked access to polling places. But since it was all for the good of getting that mental midget Obama voted into office everything is fine.

 

[Genx87]

Originally posted by: surfsatwerk

Originally posted by: Genx87

Originally posted by: surfsatwerk

I volunteered for a time to escort women from the parking lot into a PP clinic. The fact that those women needed someone to ensure they could walk 30ft into the clinic is disgusting. I may be wrong about labeling them all bible thugs, I can only speak from my personal experience with the scumbag "protesters" I encountered.

You probably feel the same way about union members picketing then right?

Entirely different issue. You can't compare a company to a woman who is usually scared half to death. Granted the clinic is the supposed target of abortion protesters but it is the clients who must pass through the gauntlet of abuse to enter the facility.

It isnt a different issue. Both are intimidating whoever passes. I'd say from experience union protestors may be scarier. They get legtimately pissed at scabs or replacement workers, or ever people who arent Union who work there.

 

[Robor]

Originally posted by: SammyJr
As long as they don't block access to the clinic and remain on public property, then it is their right.

:thumbsup:

 

[JD50]

Originally posted by: surfsatwerk

Originally posted by: Genx87

Originally posted by: surfsatwerk

I volunteered for a time to escort women from the parking lot into a PP clinic. The fact that those women needed someone to ensure they could walk 30ft into the clinic is disgusting. I may be wrong about labeling them all bible thugs, I can only speak from my personal experience with the scumbag "protesters" I encountered.

You probably feel the same way about union members picketing then right?

Entirely different issue. You can't compare a company to a woman who is usually scared half to death. Granted the clinic is the supposed target of abortion protesters but it is the clients who must pass through the gauntlet of abuse to enter the facility.

You're right, it is an entirely different issue. One person is going to have an elective medical procedure and the other is just trying to get to work so they can feed their family. Hypocrite.

I have no problem with protesting until they start blocking public roads, blocking entrances to buildings, etc... Then it needs to stop. Regardless of the cause.

 

[exar333]

Originally posted by: surfsatwerk
Arrest them and throw them all in jail. The protesters are using fear and intimidation in an attempt to prevent women from accessing health care. They're nothing more than petty thugs who hide behind the bible.

This is the US, not your home country of Iran.

As long as the protesters don't inhibit people from accessing the facilities, it is in their right (regardless if you agree with them or not) to protest.

Maybe we should also prohibit protesting at state and national government buildings too, since it "intimidates" our elected officials. What next?

 

[CitizenKain]

Originally posted by: Medellon
I get a kick out of you all who say they should not be allowed to picket. What the hell did Acorn and the Black Panther thugs do? They intimidated people and blocked access to polling places. But since it was all for the good of getting that mental midget Obama voted into office everything is fine.

Hahah, no they didn't. Guess you need to make things up to feel like less of a failure in life don't you?

 

[WHAMPOM]

Originally posted by: manlymatt83
Some think it's freedom of speech, and people should be allowed to do this. Other think it's impeding on a legal service and should be considered either trespassing (though I believe they mostly do it on public land, sidewalks, etc.).

What are your thoughts?

Free speach zone, six blocks away in a back alley? Well ya!

 

[SammyJr]

Originally posted by: Medellon
I get a kick out of you all who say they should not be allowed to picket. What the hell did Acorn and the Black Panther thugs do? They intimidated people and blocked access to polling places. But since it was all for the good of getting that mental midget Obama voted into office everything is fine.

Yeah, you're right minorities in the inner city were chomping at the bit to vote McCain but those evil Acorn toadies denied them their rights. :laugh: