So I just had a run-in outside of Planned Parenthood..

[KarenInMA]

The PP down the street from me, on lovely Commonwealth Ave, is in the middle of a pretty high traffic area- pedestrians, cars, the T, bikes, oblivious BU students all going to and fro.

I walk past it, on my way to the giant supermarket with the Greatest Salad Bar Ever, a few times a week. Typically, there's no protesters, or just Prayer Lady, on her knees.

Well today, there were a few people milling about, and as I walked by, this guy grabbed my arm and yelled, "Abortion kills a child"!! Now, to set the scene for you, it's a busy street, I'm rocking sneakers with my obvious office apparel, it's lunchtime, and I've got my Ipod going, and I'm pretty obviously NOT heading into the clinic. Why the wingnut picked me, I have no idea.

Anywho, the security guard, who is only outside of the building when there are protesters (besides prayer lady, who doesn't speak to anyone), was there before I had even registered what happened. He looked pretty annoyed to begin with, (it's HOT out).

So Security guard yelled at wingnut, "you CANNOT touch anyone! If you don't leave RIGHT NOW, I'm going to have you arrested for assault." Surprisingly, Wingnut and Co packed up there dead fetus pictures, got into an SUV (oh the hypocrisy) and left, scattering tracts in the wind.

Very strange encounter.

[BlakeB]

1. Clinic protestors make me sick.

[okieinpain]

2. oh, you just looked like someone that cared. it's in your eyes, did

you have on shades.

[KarenInMA]

5. of course. It's eleventy billion degrees here.

I wonder if this guy would have stopped me if I was going in for a low cost pap smear, some pre-natal vitamins, condoms or an AIDS test- you know, the OTHER things PP does?

[okieinpain]

12. oh lord, if the fundie even thought you were headed to the PP his

brain would have exploded.

[ronnykmarshall]

3. He's lucky you didn't kick him in the nuts.

Some asshole grabs my arm like that, they gonna be holding their "boys" in pain.

[KarenInMA]

8. I pushed him, but

the security guard was literally RIGHT there. I think he saw trouble before I even registered the protesters.

[ronnykmarshall]

16. Good for you.

I'm glad that security guard was right on it.

[sakabatou]

45. For me, the arm/fingers would have ben broken

[Mnemosyne]

4. Glad you're alright Karen.

There are some scary people out there.
Stay safe.:hi:

[ironman202]

6. oh man...

he picked you because you're a woman. They don't like women and they dont understand them. I wish I had been there with you. He would be eating those tracts.

[China_cat]

30. Bingo

[pitohui]

7. question

why does security guard get to decide whether or not the police are called to report an assault

you were the one assaulted

i would have insisted on filing a report then & there, i'm done w. strange men grabbing me

[KarenInMA]

11. damn. I should have.

I can cry on command, and it would have been worth spending the day talking to the police...

<kicking self>

[gratuitous]

22. Hindsight is 20-20

But yeah, falling down screaming and crying and in apparent agony. But it sounds like the bully caught you unexpectedly (their stock in trade). Though it sounds like the security guard would have been a good witness for the criminal trial and then the civil trial where you sue their collective bully butts off and keep every penny they'll ever earn for the rest of their miserable lives.

[mcscajun]

50. It's what happens when they take you by surprise...

...years and years back, I was walking through the lower level of Penn Station in NYC. I was very engrossed in my own thoughts...something awful was on my mind and I was barely holding it together...and someone grabbed me around my waist.

I was so upset as I shook him off...he and his buddy had a good chuckle...I lost it as I walked away from them...and it was only hours later I realized I could have, and should have, had them arrested.

[wildeyed]

9. I went to PP all through college for basic gyn care.

It was inexpensive and I didn't have health insurance for a private doctor. Never got an abortion there, not once. So even if you do go in, it is likely for a pap smear or something.

[Larkspur]

10. Good for the Security Guard

Sounds like he did an excellent job defending you and the clinic.

[havocmom]

23. Sounds like the guard was on to the assailant's routine and was in full

defense mode! Good for him. A call to the PP clinic personnel dept to thank them for having such an alert and efficient guard might not be a bad use of a few minutes.

The weenie attacker has probably pushed the guard's buttons once too often. Bullies will keep it up til somebody smacks em down.

I found out several of the 'regulars' harassing people at PP clinics in Tucson years ago were under court order to undergo anger management therapy at a state mental health clinic or go to jail. Not surprised in the least. Also not surprised that it didn't seem to help them much.

[GracieM]

25. A guard did his job

Definitely worth a commendatory phone call.

[havocmom]

33. he did it fast and efficiently. He did it before the woman even realized

there was a problem. He does deserve notice.

[KarenInMA]

34. I told them that. It's obviously more than a job

for him. He sees scared and upset women, and the men who harass them all the time. Reading between the lines of what I was told, I have a feeling that this man would love to spend some time alone with some of these protesters....

[havocmom]

41. Let's hope he reads DU and knows he is a hero to us

at a time when heros are few and far between!

Sir, as one who has spent many hours shoulder to shoulder with others in defense of PP clinics, thank you. It is appreciated by many more than just the woman you protected!

Thank you

[Botany]

13. Glad your are OK.

3 days ago I was @ a stop light and fired up one of those idiots.
A man in front of a clinic ...... I asked if he was against abortion and
then told him he certainly should not get one if felt so strongly about it.

He got mad .... i drove away.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

14. Well, as a woman, you are a potential "murderer" of some cute baby.

Lucky they didn't launch a pre-emptive strike on you. Gawd has given you the blessed duty to churn out cute wittle babies (preferably white). But, only if married (in the church) and make a sincere effort not to enjoy sex.

"Life in Lubbock, Texas, taught me two things: One is that God loves
you and you're going to burn in hell. The other is that sex is the most awful, filthy thing on earth and you should save it for someone you love." - Butch Hancock

[AuntieM1957]

49. Yep, the womb is sacred

in fact, I'm having mine bronzed when I'm finished using it.

[toey]

15. its bad enough when you're not heading to the clinic

the saturday of my abortion, a year ago on the 7th, there were dozens of people protesting. screaming. apparently this PP only does abortions on saturdays so they know when to protest. the building is behind a little strip mall and the parking lot has a 6-inch-thick yellow painted line on the pavement for which the protesters may not cross. 2 of the police cars there were blocking the Doc's Mercedes. it was rather intimidating. as if this were something i was gladly doing on a saturday morning. i would have rather been in bed. thankfully, though, i still have the right.

[ronnykmarshall]

18. toey I'm so sorry you had to go through that.

It's hard enough to have to have an abortion. Then these monsters show up.

[fudge stripe cookays]

48. Toey, I'm so sorry.

I consider myself SO lucky.

I had mine here in Dallas, and for some bizarre reason, there was NO one there. I couldn't believe I was able to go through it with no added trauma.

I'm sorry you did.
FSC

[don954]

17. do that around here and you get in big ass trouble

you could easly get shot here in Florida, but me, i have a keychain tazer...

[davidinalameda]

19. you have a good case for assult and battery

most laws state that if someone touches you without your permission, you can have them arrested

[KarenInMA]

20. hmmm... I wonder if I can still do that?

I might call the clinic. They probably know who he is. Do you think I can get an assault charge to stick? My arm's not even bruised.

[bettyellen]

24. it's good to make it part of the record.

you can go in a describe him, and update it with a picture or ID him in person later. if the security gives you his name all the better. even if you don't want to press charges (although i would, LOL) it's good to make it part of the record. even if someone yells at you abusively, if you feel threatened, get the police to make a report.

[Kingshakabobo]

29. I'm sure the security guard will sign as a witness.

It's only simple battery UNLESS the nut-case in question has a record or is on probation. It's worth a look-see.

On second thought, it may be more than simple battery if the state/municipality has any special laws for clinics.

[Gormy Cuss]

31. You said you walk by the clinic on a regular basis

It should be no trouble running into the whack job again, and calling the police with a follow up ID.

Isn't that the PP where there were shootings and fatalities a few years ago?

Please do compliment the guard. His job is difficult and it's nice to see he's on the ball.

[davidinalameda]

39. it would probably be a misdemeanor

and I doubt the statute of limitations have run out

but it would show these goons that they can't go around grabbing people

[mcscajun]

51. Assault is the simple act of laying your hands on someone else

without their permission.

Battery involves injury, even if only a bruise.

If you've got witnesses, and the security guard is one...and you can identify the man who grabbed you, you've got an assault charge to file if you want.

[Liberal Ohioan]

27. I think that may be simplifying the law a bit too much

If I accidentally bump into you...you have the right to press charges against me?

[davidinalameda]

40. accidentially-doubtful

but if you grab me like this goon did, yes

[mcscajun]

52. No. But if you grab me as you do (not to steady yourself)

then I do.

[HockeyMom]

21. I had a run in with them several years ago

My dentist was in the same building as Planned Parenthood. There were always a few standing around there with there with signs, but on this particular day there were a lot of them and the local cops were standing across the street.

I was in my late 40s at the time. I guess I must look younger. But anyway I had been up all night with a very bad toothache and was going in for a root canal. I was not in a very good mood to begin with and as I walked up to the entrance one TALL, old geezer, who had to be pushing 70, blocked my way holding his sign of a dead fetus in my face.

As I said, I was not a very happy camper on this particular day and the last thing I wanted was a picture of a dead fetus in my face. I gave him a push (I am 5'2" and about 100 lbs.) and nearly knocked him down. I said to him, at the top of my lungs, "I need a ROOT CANAL. I am not in a good mood right now." "If you don't get out of my face, I will MAKE YOU get out of my face." He IMMEDIATELY got out of my way.

The cops across the street must have heard what I said. They all started laughing and clapping. So why weren't THEY doing THEIR job and stopping these protesters from harassing people going into that building?

I turned around, gave them a dirty look, and went in for my root canal.

[warrens]

26. I live right up the street from PP in Chicago

Every month or so I see 25 cop cars, lights blazing, blocking of LaSalle and Division and the bomb squad trucks pulling up. Gad, I hate those anti-choice thugs.

[no_to_war_economy]

28. stupid fucks

you gotta be ready and go for the nads

[KarenInMA]

32. Update!!

I called PP, the Security Guard, who's name I won't release due to lurkers, has dealt with this particular group of crazies before. Basically, PP categorizes these people- there is Prayer Lady (who's apparently a Nun) and other non-verbal people, and then people who the keep a close eye on.

This clinic has faced violence in the past (in another location)- three people were shot to death, including a pregnant woman who was looking for free pre natal care for the baby she had every intention of keeping.

I'm gonna go down there after work and file an incident report, which they will lodge with BPD. What happened wasn't a crime, but it could become "evidence of a pattern of behavior"

[LisaLynne]

37. Good for you!!

It would be easy to just walk away from this incident, but you're going the extra step. That's great. :thumbsup:

[AllieB]

35. I lived down the street from Preterm on Beacon Street in college,

at the time of the John Salvi murders. I can't tell you how awful those people were. People were less litigious back in 1994, and if I pressed charges everytime I got harrassed walking by there, I'd be a rich woman.

[The Stranger]

36. PROCEED WITH ASSAULT CHARGES ANYWAY.

[ryan_cats]

38. As a Christian, I'm against most abortions.

As a Christian, I'm against most abortions. However, these protesters make me sick. You want to stop an abortion, you talk to the person wanting one and agree to support her mentally, economicaly and help her find her child a foster home. Those protesters are accomplishing NOTHING!
Finally, I'm a guy so to be honest, it's really a woman's issue and I really think men don't really have a clue about what goes through a woman's mind as she contemplates abortion.

[Scout]

44. no, you don't

You want to stop an abortion, you talk to the person wanting one and agree to support her mentally, economicaly and help her find her child a foster home.

no you don't do any of these things. Unless the individual pregnant woman asks you personally for advice, you should just butt out--Christian or not. It's really just none of your business if a woman has an abortion or not.

And, if she does not want to be PREGNANT, much less actually give birth, then all your mental, economic support and finding of a foster home are a useless waste of time for you, and frustrating and boring for her.

If I were pregnant, you could tell me you'd give me all those things you mentioned, and it wouldn't matter ... I do NOT want to be pregnant and I do NOT want to give birth. I couldn't even give away a litter of my dog's puppies, much less give away a child that I gave birth to. I would get an abortion.

Some women just don't want to be pregnant, and some just don't want to give birth, and that's OK. YOu don't need to worry about it.

[ryan_cats]

47. Which is exactly why I put in the caveat

It's really just none of your business if a woman has an abortion or not.

Which is exactly why I put in the caveat that it's really a woman's issue. I didn't say I'd do those things. I'm saying if they really wanted to make a difference instead of just making fools of themselves with their disgusting pictures, they might actually do something to help.

Don't worry, I'm not worrying about it, I'm a guy, remember?

[Scout]

53. if the woman actually wants help, she will ask them

I think even acknowledging that they "want to help" just encourages their behavior. That's why I'm so adamant that they butt out, it's not their business, what if the woman doesn't WANT help because she doesn't WANT to be pregnant.

Sorry I jumped on you ... too many hours in front of the clinic getting the clients in past the assholes.

[ryan_cats]

57. I disagree

I don't think most protesters would lift a finger if a woman asked for their help. While I believe some really care, I also believe that most are of the Fred Phelps variety of God hates f>>>.

Don't worry, I don't think you jumped on me, it's a passionate subject for both sides. I just fail to see the value in standing in front of a clinic calling woman horrible things who probably just made one of the toughest choices in their life and they've got some freeptard calling them murderers and also displaying those pictures, disgusting.

[AuntieM1957]

54. You know, I'm also a Christian

and I just don't get that it's "as a Christian, I'm against".

never have.

I think you might be on the right track when you say it's a woman's issue.

What right does anyone have to tell anyone else what they must allow in their bodies?

It's a woman's choice. When Jerry Falwell gives birth, you can have my right to choose.

Until then, It's a Woman Thing!

[WilliamPitt]

42. Those people are nucking futs

I lived around the corner from there a few years back. Those people are wretched.

That's the same PP, by the way, that John Salvi shot up several years ago.

[Lefty48197]

43. Next time, jab your thumb into his eye

It's one of the best tools for stopping an assault.

[cornermouse]

46. Next time, put your knee where it will really hurt him.

Then smile nicely. O8)

[B Calm]

55. You should carry a can of pepper spray!

[Vogon_Glory]

56. Anti-Choice Activists Don't Discriminate

Anti-choice activists don't discriminate between women entering a clinic for a pelvic exam, women getting biopsies, women obtaining a birth control prescription, women having check-ups after getting pregnant, and women getting an abortion. Any patient seems to be fair game for harassment and verbal abuse for those people.

I hope that someday some patient entering a family-planning/gynecological clinic for a pelvic exam who gets photographed and has her image involuntarily placed on some of these psychos' web sites turns around and successfully sues the socks off the wing-nuts.