The city council of Spokane, Washington, passed a noise ordinance that allows police officers to cite anti-abortion activists singing and praying outside a Planned Parenthood in the city for noise violations.
The measure, introduced by Councilwoman Lori Kinnear, passed in a 6-1 vote, but anti-abortion activists say it infringes upon their First Amendment rights.
“The city will now be empowered to use police officers to shut up the hundreds of pro-life Christians who regularly pray outside a local Planned Parenthood abortion facility,” the Students for Life of America said.
Kinnear said the bill’s purpose is to protect healthcare facilities in the city, not stop anti-abortion activists from holding signs or praying.
Councilwoman Karen Stratton, a supporter of the bill, said: “All we’re asking is that you keep the noise down to a reasonable level.”
Councilwoman Kate Burke said the motion has nothing to do with religion or freedom of speech. Instead, “it’s about healthcare and access to the clinic.”
Kinnear previously tried to shut down the activists, who call themselves the “Church at Planned Parenthood,” according to SFLA.
“After watching body cam footage of police officers assigned to watch over the facility and pro-lifers, Kinnear argued that the police officers should be using current noise ordinance laws. The officers are heard pointing out that at nearby Gonzaga University, there are probably 25 or 30 noise ordinance violations at any time and they don’t try to enforce all of those violations,” SFLA reported.
First violations of the ordinance will result in a civil penalty. Subsequent violations could result in jail time and fines.
“We know that this is about one thing: making it harder for people to hear the truth about abortion and what happens inside abortion facilities every day,” SFLA’s Washington regional coordinator Karlie Lodjic said. “This is a clear and direct assault on the First Amendment.”
