Democratic Underground Latest Greatest Lobby Journals Search Options Help Login
Google

Everyone should know about FACE (freedom of access to clinic entrance) ACT

Printer-friendly format Printer-friendly format
Printer-friendly format Email this thread to a friend
Printer-friendly format Bookmark this thread
This topic is archived.
Home » Discuss » Archives » General Discussion (1/22-2007 thru 12/14/2010) Donate to DU
 
MrMickeysMom Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-10-09 11:05 PM
Original message
Everyone should know about FACE (freedom of access to clinic entrance) ACT
For various reasons...
The Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act of 1994 (commonly called the FACE law) protects
bullet crisis pregnancy centers,
bullet abortion clinics,
bullet physicians' offices,
bullet other reproductive health clinics,
bullet churches, mosques, synagogues, temples, and other religious buildings.



"by establishing Federal criminal penalties and civil remedies for certain violent, threatening, obstructive and destructive conduct that is intended to injure, intimidate or interfere with persons."

It is not generally realized that the FACE law protects both pro-choice abortion clinics, and pro-life crisis pregnancy centers. It also assures people access to worship in religious buildings without harassment.

Section 3 (a) of the law prohibits persons using force or physical obstruction to:
bullet intentionally injure, intimidate or interfere with:
bullet A person seeking access to a reproductive health service,
bullet A person providing a reproductive health service, or
bullet A person attempting to access a religious service

Threats to do any of the above are also prohibited by the law. The FACE law also applies to a person who intentionally damages or destroys property at a reproductive health services clinic or religious building.

The FACE law does not "prohibit any expressive conduct (including peaceful picketing or other peaceful demonstration)".
.

In 1994-MAY, the FACE bill was signed into law by President Clinton. First-time offenders can receive a sentence of up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $100,000. Subsequent offenses can increase the penalties to 3 years and $250,000.

The FACE law has often been associated with the judicial banning of picketing within a certain number of feet of an abortion clinic. This concept of providing "buffer zones" is unrelated to the FACE law. They have been created by judges who have used such zones when granting injunctions.

Since being signed into law, FACE has survived a number of challenges on the basis of first amendment rights (freedom of speech). It seems to have significantly reduced the number of blockades of abortion clinics.



Reference:

1. The "Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE) FAQ" website contains the full text of the law at: http://www.faqs.org/faqs/law/clinic-access/
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
Ilsa Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-10-09 11:18 PM
Response to Original message
1. Thanks for the info. Don't know when I'll get to use it again, but it is good to know about. nt
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
MrMickeysMom Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jun-11-09 10:26 AM
Response to Reply #1
3. You're welcome...
Personally, I don't either, but after seeing mention of it yesterday (Rachel Maddow) I looked up the information.

Amazing that Allentown PA local police officials don't have the same comprehension!
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
47of74 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-10-09 11:25 PM
Response to Original message
2. And maybe now we'll have some actual enforcement of that law
Instead of the looking the other way that the previous administration did.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
MrMickeysMom Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jun-11-09 10:29 AM
Response to Reply #2
4. Or... NOT!
I think I'll make it a point to remind local law enforcement, at any rate.

They were very aware about a month and a half ago that "anti-abortion protesters" would be at a major intersection in our community. THEY were there to help THEM with their first amendment rights to protest.

These extremist know how to game the system to help themselves not be "harassed" by the public, you know.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Winterblues Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jun-11-09 11:25 AM
Response to Original message
5. So "Free Speech Zones" are not really established Law?
They are nothing more than judicial injunctions. I think Bush* took liberties with the Law occasionally. Does anyone else feel that was ever the case? :shrug:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
MrMickeysMom Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jun-11-09 11:39 AM
Response to Reply #5
6. Good question... I don't know! eom
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
DU AdBot (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view 
this author's profile Click to add 
this author to your buddy list Click to add 
this author to your Ignore list Tue Apr 30th 2024, 01:21 PM
Response to Original message
Advertisements [?]
 Top

Home » Discuss » Archives » General Discussion (1/22-2007 thru 12/14/2010) Donate to DU

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators


Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.

Home  |  Discussion Forums  |  Journals |  Store  |  Donate

About DU  |  Contact Us  |  Privacy Policy

Got a message for Democratic Underground? Click here to send us a message.

© 2001 - 2011 Democratic Underground, LLC