Chicago Considers Law Hampering Pro-Life Sidewalk Counseling Efforts

[Norseman82]

A committee of the Chicago City Council passed an amendment to the Disorderly Conduct section of the City Code that would add restrictions to efforts of pro-life sidewalk counselors to talk to women entering abortion clinics:

[url="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-chicago-abortion-protest-ordoct01,0,156833.story"]Tribune article [/url]

http://www.chicago43rd.org/index.aspx?loc=2&dbx=343&sub=1

The ordinance could come to a vote before the full City Council this week (the next scheduled session of the City Council is Wednesday 10/07/2009).

Please pray that this amendment fails.

If anyone lives in Chicago, please contact your alderman and ask him/her to vote 'No' on this matter. List of aldermen and how to reach them:

[url="http://egov.cityofchicago.org/city/webportal/portalProgramAction.do?channelId=-536879035&programId=536879154&topChannelName=Government&Failed_Reason=Invalid+timestamp,+engine+has+been+restarted&com.broadvision.session.new=Yes&Failed_Page=%2fwebportal%2fportalProgramAction.do"]List[/url]

Edited October 6, 2009 by Norseman82

[Nihil Obstat]

In Calgary I'm not allowed to protest in front of an abortion mill. You have to be across the street.
That's only a city bylaw though, I believe.

[mommas_boy]

[quote name='Norseman82' date='05 October 2009 - 07:59 PM' timestamp='1254787160' post='1978601']
A committee of the Chicago City Council passed an amendment to the Disorderly Conduct section of the City Code that would add restrictions to efforts of pro-life sidewalk counselors to talk to women entering abortion clinics:

[url="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-chicago-abortion-protest-ordoct01,0,156833.story"]Tribune article [/url]

http://www.chicago43rd.org/index.aspx?loc=2&dbx=343&sub=1

The ordinance could come to a vote before the full City Council this week (the next scheduled session of the City Council is Wednesday 10/07/2009).

Please pray that this amendment fails.

If anyone lives in Chicago, please contact your alderman and ask him/her to vote 'No' on this matter. List of aldermen and how to reach them:

[url="http://egov.cityofchicago.org/city/webportal/portalProgramAction.do?channelId=-536879035&programId=536879154&topChannelName=Government&Failed_Reason=Invalid+timestamp,+engine+has+been+restarted&com.broadvision.session.new=Yes&Failed_Page=%2fwebportal%2fportalProgramAction.do"]List[/url]
[/quote]

I got a couple of messages on Facebook about this. Still waiting on an answer to a question I asked one of them: does the measure have a name or a number which I may use to refer to it easily when I call?

[Norseman82]

[quote name='mommas_boy' date='05 October 2009 - 08:13 PM' timestamp='1254788005' post='1978615']
I got a couple of messages on Facebook about this. Still waiting on an answer to a question I asked one of them: does the measure have a name or a number which I may use to refer to it easily when I call?
[/quote]

"amendment to the Disorderly Conduct section of the City Code" sponsored by Alderman Vi Daley.

Please see page 839 of [url="http://www.chicityclerk.com/referred_matters/2009/sept/8_Unclassified_Matters_Wards.pdf"]this link.[/url]

[Kitty]

[quote]"Women seeking any kind of medical service are routinely harassed," Daley said. "They are photographed, and they are followed."[/quote]

[quote]At the Near North clinic, some protesters wear clothes mimicking those worn by clinic staff, she said. Protesters also photograph and videotape patients and staff, Kanter added.[/quote]

[quote]"Protesters are bringing their children, who also shout at patients and say they are going to hell. ... They yell at staff, 'You work for the devil,' " Kanter said.[/quote]

I don't like the idea of abortion, but the behavior of these protesters is ridiculous and I see why they are putting up a restriction.

Edited October 6, 2009 by Kitty

[mommas_boy]

[quote name='Norseman82' date='05 October 2009 - 08:19 PM' timestamp='1254788376' post='1978624']
"amendment to the Disorderly Conduct section of the City Code" sponsored by Alderman Vi Daley.

Please see page 839 of [url="http://www.chicityclerk.com/referred_matters/2009/sept/8_Unclassified_Matters_Wards.pdf"]this link.[/url]
[/quote]

The Tribune article made it seem like prayer at a "health clinic" would be tolerated, so long as no one came within 8 feet of another person, within 50 feet of the clinic. The linked text, though, doesn't read that way:

[quote]
A person commits disorderly conduct when he:

(k) Pickets or demonstrates on a public way within 50 feet of any hospital, medical clinic or healthcare facility, or inhibits, blocks, impedes or otherwise interferes with, using threats, harassment, or intimidation, patient access to or from any hospital, medical clinic or health care facility.
[/quote]

Could prayer be considered a "demonstration", I wonder?

Potential loophole: show that an abortion clinic is not a "health care facility". :grin:

[mommas_boy]

[quote name='Kitty' date='05 October 2009 - 08:50 PM' timestamp='1254790226' post='1978653']
I don't like the idea of abortion, but the behavior of these protesters is ridiculous and I see why they are putting up a restriction.
[/quote]

I [b]am[/b] one of those protesters. I've been to the Near North facility several times with my parish (who is there every weekend). I can assure you that these accusations are blatant lies.

[Norseman82]

[quote name='mommas_boy' date='05 October 2009 - 09:01 PM' timestamp='1254790901' post='1978663']
The Tribune article made it seem like prayer at a "health clinic" would be tolerated, so long as no one came within 8 feet of another person, within 50 feet of the clinic. The linked text, though, doesn't read that way:



Could prayer be considered a "demonstration", I wonder?

Potential loophole: show that an abortion clinic is not a "health care facility". :grin:
[/quote]

Unfortunately, vague wordings have a tendency to be at the mercy of the interpretation whatever police officer(s) are on the scene. Although I've never protested with you at that clinic, at the places I've done sidewalk counseling it would be hard not to get within 8 feet of a passerby.

[jeffpugh]

[quote name='Nihil Obstat' date='05 October 2009 - 08:03 PM' timestamp='1254787417' post='1978604']
In Calgary I'm not allowed to protest in front of an abortion mill. You have to be across the street.
That's only a city bylaw though, I believe.
[/quote]
It's a wider law than that.

[TotusTuusMaria]

[quote name='Kitty' date='05 October 2009 - 09:50 PM' timestamp='1254790226' post='1978653']
I don't like the idea of abortion, but the behavior of these protesters is ridiculous and I see why they are putting up a restriction.
[/quote]

You can't believe everything you read or hear from the pro-choice side about "anti-abortion protesters"

our group where I am from where labeled on the PP website as "extremists" who shout things and hold graphic signs.

We have never shouted anything before. We are silent most of the time in prayer and sometimes talk amongst ourselves. And the sign just says: pray to end abortion... i don't understand how that is "graphic"

nevertheless, they wrote it.

and the same crazy stuff (and crazier) is written of other sidewalk counselors, prayer volunteers who show up at these clinics across the nation when in reality none of it ever happened.

[mommas_boy]

[quote name='Norseman82' date='06 October 2009 - 12:07 AM' timestamp='1254802042' post='1978889']
Unfortunately, vague wordings have a tendency to be at the mercy of the interpretation whatever police officer(s) are on the scene. Although I've never protested with you at that clinic, at the places I've done sidewalk counseling it would be hard not to get within 8 feet of a passerby.
[/quote]

Sigh. Also, I don't see anything in the actual wording of the proposal that talks about the 8 feet rule. Where did the Trib article get that from?

[mommas_boy]

Called Mayor Daley's office, as well as my alderman. Actually got to speak to real people there! They took down my opinion.

EDIT: Left a message at Alderwoman Daley's office, as well.

Edited October 6, 2009 by mommas_boy

[Nihil Obstat]

[quote name='Sacred Music Man' date='06 October 2009 - 12:30 AM' timestamp='1254807012' post='1978962']
It's a wider law than that.
[/quote]
I find it extremely difficult to find a reputable source on the specific wording on the law.

[picchick]

If you can, call 312-744-3300 (Mayor Daley's Office) to cast your vote AGAINST the bubble zone ordinance. I just did. It took me less than a minute.

[picchick]

bump