Description
let me start off by saying i am in no way opening this issue to debate whether abortion should be legal or not, so please do not use this space to preach one way or the other.
although i personally find the protesters at planned parenthood (and now often by the peabody museum) very offensive, i am reporting this issue on the basis of what is legally their right and what is not.
when i protested the start of the iraq war, the group i was with was told by an officer that we are allowed to hold a sign. but that since we do not own the property we were standing on, we could not affix signs to posts, or lean them on trees, or lay them on the ground, etc.
this is what the protesters are doing on edwards street and sometimes whitney. they spread at least ten posters on property that they do not own.
i'd like some clarification on what their rights are, and if we can ask them to tone down their presence if they are not legally allowed to take over the block.
53 Comments
Doug Hardy (Registered User)
GregL (Registered User)
Good issue.
The right to protest is one that I fully support (and have exercised), and the same goes for freedom of speech.
I agree, though, that if these people are doing something wrong, they should be informed and asked to stop.
Anonymous (Guest)
We definitely agree this issue needs to be addressed!
I have called the police non-emergency number (946-6316) whenever I've seen the protesters placing their materials on the sidewalks, etc. The police have always been responsive and said they would send someone out to talk to the protesters each time I've called. It is also my understanding that legally the protesters are not allowed to block foot traffic on the sidewalk or harass any passersby; the police are very diligent in making sure that while allowed to excercise their right to free speech, they are not allowed to break the law in doing so.
So the conclusion I've come to is that any/every time you see the protesters out with their materials displayed in a manner that is legally infringing on other's rights (placing protest material on public property, blocking the sidewalk in any manner, or verbally harassing anyone), call the police and tell them. They will send an officer out to tell the protesters what they are allowed and not allowed to do.
Anonymous (Guest)
joey (Guest)
-off topic i know, perhaps not.
Then there were the protesters of this clinic when it was located on State St . .Facing Humphrey St.
That building was owned by a former New Haven cop , who actually bought it when serving ( himself)
He called in on the protesters and they were promptly moved . The clinic simply moved for cheaper acres.
Anonymous (Guest)
We called the police (non-emergency number) today about this issue, as the protesters were outside the clinic and up on Whitney Avenue with their pictures and literature. They were being very agressive with approaching cars with their materials, which we told the police when we called; they said they would send an officer out to the location.
Again, PLEASE report this issue to the police (call (203) 946-6316) whenever the protesters are harassing people on the street. The more the issue is reported, the more consistently the police will check and make sure that these individuals are following the laws (and not infringing on other people's rights) when they are there. Thanks.
Maureen (Guest)
Roseann (Guest)
That is why we a diverse nation with different cultures, different points of view, and as such we are free to speak and believe in what we choose.
juli (Registered User)
it is not legal to aggressively approach someone and push your views on them.
i have been harrassed by these people more times than i can count. that is not what freedom of speech means.
Doug (Guest)
Doug (Guest)
jen (Guest)
Doug (Guest)
Anonymous (Guest)
Again, if you have ANY concerns or issues with anything you see the protesters doing, it is IMPORTANT that you call the police and tell them what the issue is, whether it is that you have been harassed verbally or physically or in your car. The police will not just show up randomly or because we think they should, they have to respond to specific complaints of violations by the protesters. If people frequently and consistently inform the NHPD that these protesters are violating people's rights, there will be more of a police presence made.
With regard to the issue of the protesters videotaping people who are at the clinic, I think the comment Doug made is correct. While they may be allowed to videotape anything in a public space, they may NOT use any of that video without the express (written) permission of anyone they are taping. I'd say if you see them taping you and you'd feel comfortable doing so, tell them you'd like them to stop and that they do not have your permission to use the video in any way. Again though, if you feel uncomfortable doing that, call the police and tell them what has happened. The protesters are possibly videotaping people as a form of intimidation and harassment, and again, please inform the police if you have concerns. If you feel you are being harassed, tell the police that specifically; harassment is a violation of your rights and the law, and the police will respond to that.
Doug Hardy (Registered User)
Anonymous (Guest)
Congress in 1994 passed a law called F.A.C.E. — the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (18 U.S.C., Sect. 248). The law prohibits injuring, intimidating or interfering with any person who obtains or provides reproductive health services. It provides for civil and criminal penalties against violators. (Here is a link to the Wikipedia entry on F.A.C.E.: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_Access_to_Clinic_Entrances_Act)
In order to extend further control over where the protesters are allowed to be, the Clinic would have to go to court to seek an injuction that would place (further) restrictions in the form of a buffer zone. Several clinics have taken their cases to the Supreme Court since '94; the Court announced a new test for such cases, "The injunction will be upheld unless it burdens more speech than is necessary to serve a significant government interest."
More info can be found here on www.firstamendmentcenter.org:
http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/assembly/topic.aspx?topic=buffer_zones.
The police will enforce the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act to make sure no one's rights are being violated; the Clinic will have to use legal means to secure a buffer zone.
F.A.C.E. stipulates that freedom of access be allowed; therefore, while protesting outside the clinic is allowed, the following are not permitted:
-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
Call the police and report the protesters if at any time they infringe on your right to access the Clinic!
Anonymous (Guest)
Roseann,
And if a woman has an ectopic pregnancy (19.7 per 1000 reported pregnacies are ectopic), thus requiring an abortion to save the woman's life, this woman must go through the a crowd of bigoted, screaming cultists to receive life-saving surgery?
Bravo!
Anonymous (Guest)
Avon Lady (Guest)
Thank you! I noticed this morning as well.
Not for nothing, but I also feel the need to say that whenever I've seen protesters arriving and getting materials out of their cars that I have never seen a permit displayed for parking on Edwards Street, which is in residential parking Zone 3. To be sure, there are no doubt dozens of cars parked in this area on a weekly basis that do not have a permit, but since I am on a regular schedule in the morning, I'm often walking past just as these folks are setting up, and I notice the same cars week after week parking in that zone.
Feel free to come protest all you'd like, but please do it legally--and that includes your parking.
Anonymous (Guest)
Anonymous (Guest)
VB (Guest)
joey (Guest)
It started at St.Joseph's Church on Edwards street and proceeded up to the clinics driveway at Whitney & Edwards St.
The Police ,as usual , gave the somber march an escort. With a beep beep and a rrr err of it's sirens/alarms.
VB (Guest)
Anonymous (Guest)
The bottom line is that women have a legal right to access the Planned Parenthood Clinic, and to do so freely without being harassed or intimidated (Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (18 U.S.C., Sect. 248). If anyone is seen violating this law and making it difficult to access the Clinic, the Police will be notified and action taken.
If at any time you have difficulty walking down the sidewalk on Edwards Street because of protesters blocking the area, please call the Police (203-946-6316) and inform them. I have witnessed the protesters standing in small groups on the sidewalk, and they do not always move readily when pedestrians need to walk through. This is not permitted; public areas must always be kept clear. Again, call NHPD and let them know.
JP (Guest)
Anonymous (Guest)
VB said, "We do not put or carry any signs on private property. If you will notice they are all on public property..."
There may be other city/state laws that qualify this (e.g.: are there exceptions for protests?), but the New Haven Code of Ordinances notes:
"Sec. 27-44. Permission required for certain activities on streets, sidewalks. (a) No person or property owner shall restrict the use of the right-of-way for public purposes without applying for a permit. This includes the placing of any obstruction within the right-of-way, sidewalk or tree belt."
The various signs and religious paraphernalia that are strewn all over the tree belt seem to be in violation of that ordinance, unless, as I said above, it does not apply for one reason or another, but I didn't see anything else in the code that indicated that.
VB (Guest)
Anonymous (Guest)
VB (Guest)
just sayin' (Guest)
Brian (Guest)
This morning I saw protesters on both Edwards Street entrance AND the Lawrence Street exit.
At the Lawrence Street exit, demonstrators set up a lawn chair and other paraphernalia. At Edwards Street there were two sandwich boards and a big cross in the treeline adjacent to the sidewalk. Both of these are violations of the city ordinance listed in the comments above.
I called the NHPD non-emergency number (203) 946-6316, and made a report. I encourage all who see this kind of inappropriate demonstration to do the same.
VB (Guest)
Anonymous (Guest)
I encourage everyone to take photos of the protesters - when they're violating laws and ordinances - and to upload them here on this page.
The NHPD are aware of this specific webpage and will sooner react to photographic evidence of the protesters (1) standing in the entrances to Planned Parenthood thereby blocking the entrance, (2) their placards being placed on private property (the grass areas), or (3) intimidating/harrassing those who are going into or leaving Planned Parenthood.
Use your cell phone or digital cameras to take photos of such incidents as described above and upload them here - you can easily "add an image" or "add a video" to your comment.
Anonymous (Guest)
As with all threads, I encourage people to upload photos of activities that break laws or city ordinances.
The NHPD are aware of this thread given the numbers of people that have contacted them concerning this issue. They are much more likely to react to photographic evidence than mere anecdote.
Therefore, if anyone sees the following, take a photo using your cell phone or digital camera and upload it to this webpage (using the "add an image" tool in the comments box).
1. Protesters standing in the street entrances (on Edwards or Lawrence) to Planned Parenthood. Such actions violate the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (18 U.S.C., Sect. 248.)
2. The placing of placards, banners, crosses, and other such paraphernalia onto private property (the grassy areas) and/or the sidewalk thereby blocking the right of way for pedestrians. New Haven Ordinance Sec. 27-44.
3. The intimidation and/or harassment (verbal or physical) of people entering or leaving Planned Parenthood. 18 U.S.C., Sect. 248.
Anonymous (Guest)
Anonymous (Guest)
Anonymous (Guest)
Anonymous (Guest)
hmunro (Registered User)
Anonymous (Guest)
The New Haven police will respond to complaints of excessive noise. Call the non-emergency number: 203-946-6316 and complain when you hear the tape being played.
The New Haven noise ordinance requires that people limit their noise to a "level that does not exceed 55 decibels between the hours of 7am and 10pm Monday through Saturday (or 9am through 9pm on Sundays) and a maximum 45 decibels from 10pm until 7am throughout the week."
http://www.cityofnewhaven.com/Mayor/ReadMore.asp?ID={41FD0022-E2D7-498A-8B72-000D39BBBD4B}
According to Industrial Noise Control,
60 decibels is equivolent to Conversation in restaurant, office, background music, Air conditioning unit at 100 ft.
If you feel that the noise exceeds this level, you have a right to call NHPD (non-emergency number) and ask that they measure the noise levels and reduce the audio level, if need be.
G (Registered User)
Misuse and Quality of Life in New Haven
I'm not sure that it's the noise _level_ per se that is making passers-by feel that the protesters are misusing public space. Take this example: walk by the older gentleman with the signs, on the City sidewalk, and have him enter your personal space with his "handouts." You will have to get out of his way, because he is in yours. You are walking, say, to work. When you refuse his "handout" materials, if you are female, he is known to shout "OH, YOU HAVE HAD AN ABORTION, I SEE" at you. Now I ask you: is this the city you want to live in??? As a person who wants to work and live in New Haven, this makes me love New Haven just a bit less. The police will tell you about his rights. Would we tolerate hate speech directed at other groups?
Other Options, However Unlikely
Obviously there could be a counter-movement of people holding signs saying, for instance "Honk If You Want These People To Stop Wagging Their Fingers At Others And Start Adopting Unwanted Children," but ironically, people who don't spend their time wagging their fingers at others tend also to have other things to do. (E.g., take care of the kids they adopted or constructively helping their fellow, already-born humans, work to support themselves, or look for said work, or report issues on SeeClickFix.) On top of which, it's at significant risk to any professional life you may hope to have. Hence, it would be nice if we could find a way to handle this via the City!
neighbor (Guest)
joey (Guest)
BillyR (Registered User)
Christine (Registered User)
Larry Lawrence (Guest)
vinnyb (Guest)
Lawrence n Larry (Guest)
Christine (Registered User)
City of New Haven (Verified Official)
Nikki Katz (Registered User)
Closed Manager of Operations, Process Improvement - Transportation, Traffic, & Parking (Verified Official)