How to Protest Legally at an Abortion Clinic

Some citizens choose to protest legally at abortion clinics due to strongly held religious or socially conservative beliefs. The Supreme Court ruled that federal extortion and racketeering laws could not be used against demonstrators peacefully protesting at abortion clinics. As long as protestors follow certain guidelines, they are well within their rights to demonstrate.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Locate the abortion clinic where you would like to demonstrate. These can be found by looking in your local phone book under "Abortion Services" or a similar heading. You can also call the offices of the nearest Catholic diocese and speak to the pro-life coordinator.
2. Decide if you will protest by yourself or with others. It's best to be part of an organized group that is targeting the clinic on a regular basis and offers "shifts" to ensure greater coverage.
3. Log in at the protest site and sign a paper promising you will act in a peaceful manner while protesting. Locate and stay on public property at all times. You could be arrested and jailed if you step or walk on the clinic's property.
4. Pray quietly during your visit if you are protesting due to religious beliefs. This can be done individually or on small groups. Your prayers should not be used to incite reactions from those visiting abortion clinics, as this could be viewed as coercion.
5. Hold a pro-life sign during your protest visit. Bring your own sign or use a sign provided by the protest organizer.
6. Train to become a sidewalk counselor who talks to those entering or leaving the abortion clinic. Do not attempt sidewalk counseling if you have not received training from a pro-life organization.
7. Don't stop and block the public sidewalk if you decide to speak to women entering or leaving the clinic. This is grounds for an arrest. Leave the abortion clinic quietly taking everything you brought with you.

Tips & Warnings

• Take a cooler filled with bottled water, juice and snacks for yourself and others you meet at the abortion clinic. Never raise your voice and always talk in a civil manner.
• Prepare for inclement weather. Keep an umbrella and poncho in your car and dress appropriately for cool or hot weather.
• Keep a collapsible seat in your car to use if you get tired.
• The general public may shout obscenities at you while driving or walking by the facility where you are protesting, so be prepared.
• Abortion clinic employees may file complaints against people peacefully protesting. State your version of the complaint to police and remember you have the right to be there if you're behaving in a civil manner.