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Anti-Abortion Protester Can't Dismiss Charges
WASHINGTON (CN) - A federal judge has refused to dismiss charges against an anti-abortion protester who allegedly made a Planned Parenthood patient "visibly upset" with statements like, "Don't let them kill your baby."
Richard Retta is charged with violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, a law prohibiting the use of intimidation or obstruction to interfere with people trying to get an abortion.
Retta, whom the Justice Department calls a "regular anti-abortion protestor at the Planned Parenthood in Metropolitan, Washington," is accused of physically obstructing a patient from entering the clinic in January 2011.
The patient managed to access the clinic only because of the "extraordinary assistance" of clinic escorts and staff, according to the complaint.
Retta allegedly confronted the woman outside the clinic, and two escorts came to her aid when she became "visibly upset." Prosecutors say Retta walked alongside the woman the entire length of the 35-foot walkway, shouting at the escorts. At one point, he positioned himself directly in front of the patient and yelled, "Don't go in there. Don't let them kill your baby," the complaint states.
http://www.courthousenews.com/2012/01/12/42997.htm
dembotoz
(16,805 posts)southernyankeebelle
(11,304 posts)ddeclue
(16,733 posts)If he's blowing up clinics or shooting doctors then fine prosecute him but you can't arrest people for protesting and exercising free speech rights. This law will be overturned by the Supreme Court for violating the First Amendment.
You can't complain about Occupy protestors being shut down and then pretend it is OK to shut down the other side this way.
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."
Javaman
(62,530 posts)they can protest all they want but they must maintain a required distance from the clinic.
violation of said restraining order is against the law.
I know you know all of this, right?
ddeclue
(16,733 posts)The restraining orders themselves may be unconstitutional depending on the distance specified.
If it says they must remain 100 feet from the door that is very likely constitutional.
If it says they must remain 1000 feet from the door, probably not constitutional.
What distance is specified in the restraining order and on what grounds was it issued?
southernyankeebelle
(11,304 posts)What grievances does he have on someones personal business. He doesn't know the lady. They said he is constantly there bothering people. Do you think it's his right? You are saying if a person doesn't like what they are doing they have a right to stop them even if they don't know that person. Here is an example:
The McDonald's business sells really fattening foods. A very heavy person tries to go in. Yet the person comes out from no where and said you can't go in there because it is bad for your health. He steps in front of the person scream at the person saying your to fat and you should stay out of there. Finally the person gets right in front of the customer blocks the door screaming at the person over and over. So you think that is OK? Don't carry on about McDonalds. I love McDonald's burgers. Just giving an example.
Just because he doesn't like what the lady is doing he has no right to stop her by blocking her entrance. Because the next time he might just pull out his gun. Just like a lot of those wackos that already have killed doctors for doing their jobs.
I just wish the holy rollers would stay out of the bedroom. I personally don't believe in abortion for me. It isn't my or anyone else place to tell others. Men don't rule a woman's body. If that was the case I would say that men who produce more than one child out of wedlock should be forced to have a vasectomy. When I tell that to my male friends who are against abortions they just get tongue tied. I stop them just with that comment. If you tell a women what to do then it works the other way around.