Abortion Clinic Escorting Day One: The Sidewalk Dynamic

[Rusty5329]

My first escorting experience was a lot different than Will's was last week. Though we both had about the same number of Anti-abortion protesters ('Anti's'), the ones at my location were a lot more mellow, probably because I was in a progressive, pro-choice part of town. This clinic apparently also has a lot of seasonal protesters, who take the summer off. Many of the Anti's simply prayed outside in front of the clinic, each with rosary in hand, and made no attempt to interact, much less convert or berate any women entering the clinic. Some prayed out loud, some just mouthed their devotions, with a barely audible 'Hail Mary' here and there. One woman's routine actually included some singing. She broke out with a few operatic "Ave Maria"s then continue the rest under her breath. I found my self wondering if they were saying the same prayer, if they each had individual prayers to say, or if they were rotating invocations. I could clearly tell that 'Hail Mary's' were involved here and there, but I couldn't tell if their repertoire went any deeper...

continued at http://sumofchange.blogspot.com/2009/07/abortion-clinic-escorting-day-one.html

[murielm99]

1. Thank you for posting this.

If you keep posting from this blog, I will click on the link and read every word.

I made a friend at the March for Women's Lives a few years ago. We rode the train home from Chicago after we got back from the march. She told us about her experiences as an escort during the early years, before Operation Rescue was ordered to keep a distance from the clinics. She was a brave woman.

This person is brave, too. Imagine - going through all that just to have a lawful medical procedure. Or going through all that to get a pap test, or birth control pills, or birth control information.

I'm not going to condemn all religions. My church is pro-choice. The only prohibition they have is abortion for gender selection. That makes sense to me.

Thank you, clinic escorts.

[Rusty5329]

5. thank you for the kind words...

I will make sure Mitch sees them.

I'm glad you enjoyed this entry.

[murielm99]

2. P.S. - Belated welcome to DU!

[KakistocracyHater]

3. what is the clinic's REAL name?

cause it sure as hell NOT calling itself THAT, because it does far more for the local community.....it's like North Korea, WE call it that, but that isn't the name......kinda like the Patriot Act, I am not interested in playing into the anti-bc mindset

[Rusty5329]

7. I get what you're saying...

And you are right, this clinic handles far more than just abortions and should not be categorized this way. However, we are only there because the anti's are there, and they are only there because the clinic provides abortion. Saying "Abortion Clinic Escorting" is easier than saying "Escorting at a clinic that happens to provide abortions." And, frankly, if we fear to use the word abortion it only adds to the stigma against it.

We, however, will not use the real name of the clinic as that can lead to more problems for the clinic and for the other escorts. If you have more questions about the location, feel free to contact the Washington Area Clinic Defense Task Force (www.wacdtf.org).

[Warpy]

4. I don't think any of us would have a problem with mellow protestors

thumbing their beads and saying their prayers. After all, by their lights they're building up good works to get them into the heaven they believe in by praying for sinning women and dead fetuses and that's fine with me. I don't share it, but they're welcome to it.

The ones who use the occasion to abuse women and health care workers are the ones who should be escorted a block away and told they'll be arrested and jailed if they return.

[Rusty5329]

8. the mellow protesters are not as bad...

but they are still disgusting. If you saw, as I did today, several women in a row run into the clinic crying, I doubt you would still say that you "don't think any of us would have a problem with mellow protesters".

Imagine if men were ridiculed and condescended too in this same manner every time they bought a condom.

[Warpy]

9. true about the men, but men hate condoms, so they'd cave easily

I think the people who were crying were doing so because of the potential, that they'd heard what a lot of vicious protesters have done at other clinics.

Still, if people want to thumb their beads and pray for my sins, I'm perfectly happy to let them, not that it does any good.

If they start to abuse anyone, that's when they need to be cuffed and carted away. That's where the line is for me.

[niyad]

6. the wackos who protest at my local PP are truly nuts. one of the couples owns the largest

collection of pornography in the state, or so I am told by someone who knows this old couple well (the yuck factor is high here) and the religious fervor is truly scary. one
of the more rabid of the priests says mass (and gets annoyed when asked how many
altar boys he has ******)

my theatre group used to march with them, singing "every sperm is sacred" to be in solidarity with them. .

[Vidar]

10. You're a good man. Welcome to DU.

[Rusty5329]

11. thank you for the welcome...

Mitch and I thank you for the kind words as well.

[blue neen]

12. Thank you so much for the service you are providing.

It can't be easy for you or the women you are escorting. I value you and salute you.