UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Wednesday, June 8, 1994
13
Anti-abortion advocates test federal law
The Associated Press
MILWAUKEE — Six anti-abortion advocates were charged Monday with blocking access to a women's clinic in the first application of a federal law providing stiff penalties for the offense.
The demonstrators had chained and cemented themselves to two cars in front of a downtown clinic Saturday. The clinic was closed for about 90 minutes before police and firefighters pried the protesters loose.
Carl Stern, a Justice Department spokesman in Washington, said the charges were the first under legislation signed May 26 by President Clinton.
The law prohibits protesters from blocking access to women's health clinics or threatening patients and employees. A first offense carries a maximum penalty of six months in prison and a $10,000 fine.
"This isn't just a legal issue," U.S. Attorney Thomas Schneider said in announcing the charges. "There were real patients who were prevented from getting reproductive health care. There were real doctors who were prevented from treating patients."
Opponents contend the law interferes with free speech, and some are challenging it in court. Members of the group who blocked access to the Milwaukee clinic said they wanted to be the first to break it.
Monday evening, U.S. Magistrate Judge Patricia Gorence released three protesters on personal recognition bonds. One was held at his own request so he could consult with an attorney before another ball hearing yesterday.
Two other demonstrators were being held in county jail on other charges, which weren't disclosed.
Some abortion opponents criticized the arrests.
Bob Marshall, a spokesman for the American Life League, said they were intended "to distract people from the obvious infractions of the First Amendment that are going to go on under this law."
Eleanor Smeal, president of The Fund for the Feminist Majority, a women's advocacy group based in Arlington, Va., said the law is valuable in communities where officials don't take strong action against those who blockade clinics. She counts Milwaukee among those communities.
Twenty to 25 demonstrators from several area anti-abortion groups gathered at Affiliated Medical Services for Saturday's protest.
Those arrested in front of the clinic entrances used handcuffs, chains, welded steel rods and concrete-filled pipes to fasten themselves to two
vehicles and a 55-gallon drum that was filled with cement. Firefighters cut and pried the vehicles apart to remove those inside.
Two groups are fighting the law in court.
Anti-abortion demonstrators have blocked doors occasionally at Milwaukee clinics for several years. In summer 1992, police made more than 1,300 arrests outside clinics blockaded by groups including Missionaries to the Preborn.
The Stafford, Va.-based American Life League sought an injunction last week in an Alexandria, Va., federal court to prevent the law from taking effect.
A second challenge was filed by the American Center for Law and Justice, an anti-abortion public interest law firm, on behalf of Operation Rescue and Randall Terry. It was filed in federal court in Washington.
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