Abortion access: "The right is storming women's clinics"

[guillaumeb]

From the article:

ANTI-ABORTION demonstrators invaded three clinics around the country on September 15, physically forcing their way in and refusing to leave in a coordinated escalation of the right-wing attack on women's right to choose......

The reality is that this is an attempt to physically harass and terrorize abortion providers, clinic staff and the women who need care--with the goal of shutting the clinics down.........

On its website, 40 Days for Life boasts actions in 715 cities worldwide with 4,876 local campaigns. It also claims responsibility for the closure of 86 abortion clinics.

To read more:

https://socialistworker.org/2017/09/21/the-right-is-storming-womens-clinics

[Mariana]

1. Harass and terrorize providers, staff and clients.

Absolutely. It is intentional. Given the long history of Christian terrorism against these clinics, what would anyone think when these particular Christians force their way inside? The providers, staff, and clients have to be wondering if they're about to get shot.

[guillaumeb]

6. Yes, it is terrorism.

It is using violence and the threat of violence to attack a Constitutional right.

[niyad]

2. and the war on women continues to escalate.

[guillaumeb]

7. True. The war cannot help but escalate with a misogynist like Trump in office. eom

[sheshe2]

3. K&R

and thanks for posting.

[guillaumeb]

12. Thank you. Scary news when right wing zealots can organize

to deprive 1/2 of the population of their rights.

[Wounded Bear]

4. Talibangelists in action...

[silverweb]

5. They're trespassing.

Arrest them and press charges for trespass and, if applicable, any damages or vandalism.

[guillaumeb]

8. And why not charge them with assault?

[silverweb]

9. Good point!

Throw the book at them with whatever applies.

[csziggy]

10. Organized crime - charge them with RICO violations

Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act

The Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE or the Access Act, Pub. L. No. 103-259, 108 Stat. 694) (May 26, 1994, 18 U.S.C. § 248) is a United States law that was signed by President Bill Clinton in May 1994, which prohibits the following three things: (1) the use of physical force, threat of physical force, or physical obstruction to intentionally injure, intimidate, interfere with or attempt to injure, intimidate or interfere with any person who is obtaining reproductive health services or providing reproductive health services (this portion of the law typically refers to abortion clinics), (2) the use of physical force, threat of physical force, or physical obstruction to intentionally injure, intimidate, interfere with or attempt to injure, intimidate or interfere with any person who is exercising or trying to exercise their First Amendment right of religious freedom at a place of religious worship, (3) the intentional damage or destruction of a reproductive health care facility or a place of worship.

Prohibited

The following behaviors have especially to do with reproductive health care clinics but can also be applied to places of worship[3][4]

Blocking a person’s access to the entrance of a facility
Impairing cars from entering and/or exiting a facility
Physically stopping people as they are trying to walk toward an entrance or through a parking lot
Making it difficult or dangerous to get in and/or out of a facility
Trespassing on the property of a facility
Committing any act of violence on a clinic employee, escort or patient
Vandalism
Threats of violence
Stalking a clinic employee or reproductive health care provider
Arson or threats of arson
Bombings or bomb threats

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_Access_to_Clinic_Entrances_Act

Why have these people not been charged with this FEDERAL crime? Since it was organized across state lines the crime is obviously organized and fits the definition of RICO: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racketeer_Influenced_and_Corrupt_Organizations_Act - so charge the leaders and organizers of the organization that are planning and invading the clinics.

[guillaumeb]

11. An excellent question, but in a GOP Administration,

what are the odds that this law would be used?

[csziggy]

13. Chances are just about zero that Sessions would use that law

But maybe some pressure should be applied anyway!

[guillaumeb]

14. And rather than focus on Trump's deranged sounding tweets and speeches,

this issue should be a major media focus.

[csziggy]

15. True! nt

[Ilsa]

16. That website needs hacking.

Disrupt their events, remove/edit names from emails. Provide misinformation.

[guillaumeb]

17. A call out to the technically savvy. eom

[Man_Bear_Pig]

18. Assault and trespassing

[guillaumeb]

19. Welcome to DU. I agree. But the story says that often the police will not act. eom

[niyad]

20. welcome to du