blue states and anti choice protestors

[RJ-MacReady]

Should blue states allow for the use of physical force against anti-choice protestors outside of clinics who verbally and physically assault women and their escorts?

[WhiskeyGrinder]

1. Physical force by whom? Why only blue states?

[RJ-MacReady]

2. red states wouldn't care

I should clarify physical force=self defense.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

6. Different states have different laws about self-defense, but the burden of proof is on the person defending themselves.

[DeepWinter]

3. I think you answered

your own question.

If protestors are violating the law and being physical, they will be reponded to physically. (in the act of arrest)

If they are peacefully protesting (peacefull can be quite loud and angry) then they should be in the clear. What is being protested is almost irrelavant.

[RJ-MacReady]

5. agreed

But we allow too "sidewalk counseling" as they put it. To the point women are harassed and threatened. That is not free speech or protesting.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

7. Unfortunately, feeling harassed and threatened is not the same as being harassed and threatened, legally.

A good exercise is to think about the behavior you want to outlaw/punish when it comes to antis and then think about how those same regulations might apply to striking workers or other protestors. It's difficult if not impossible to pick and choose the speech you want to control in this case.

[CTyankee]

9. Here in New Haven, we provided escorts for women seeking our care against the protesters.

When I was working for Planned Parenthood in New Haven, we had volunteers to help patients get inside the clinic. We ignored the protesters, supported the patients. Years later, the clinic moved to another facility in New Haven, where the entrance better protects patients when protestors are holding their signs and yelling "Don't kill your baby!" at every woman entering the building, including those who are not coming for an abortion, but for other gyn care.

[exboyfil]

4. Unless it arises to fighting words

1st amendment pretty much protects speech.

[DBoon]

8. Blue states should pay for armed security guards

and these guards should follow all laws to the letter

None of this vigilante crap please

[MustLoveBeagles]

10. Good answer 👍

[drmeow]

11. I have said for years

that clinic escorts should, to the maximum extent allowed by law in their state, open carry the biggest, nastiest guns they can. The forced birth crowd will be a lot less likely to behave violently towards someone with a big gun slung over their shoulder.