Sergey Kadinsky
Written Works
Access Bill Defends Abortion Clinics
September 24, 2008
This feature piece was submitted to local Queens newspapers.
It was also used in my Craft of journalism class at the CUNY J-School.
When Maryana Banzil looks out the window of her abortion clinic in the Bronx, she often sees protesters waving signs and handing out pamphlets to her clients. She doesn’t see much evidence that New York is one of the leading cities for reproductive rights. “The women coming to see us often feel frightened and concerned for their privacy,” said Banzil, who operates the only abortion provider in the Hunts Points neighborhood of the Bronx.
Now Banzil may get some help from legislation proposed by City Council Speaker Christine Quinn. “When we say New York City is a pro-choice town, we mean it,” said Quinn at a city hall press conference on Sept. 24.
The Clinic Access Bill would prohibit demonstrators from protesting within 15 feet of abortion clinics. While an existing clinic access law prohibits harassment and intimidation, prosecutors often find it difficult to prove intent, and the police often refuse to arrest anti-abortion demonstrators. Under the new bill, proof of intent would no longer be required.
In addition, the bill would also allow clinics to bring the charges, in order to assure the anonymity of women seeking abortion. “This takes the burden from the individual,” said Quinn. To ensure access for clients, demonstrators would be restricted from protesting within 15 feet of an abortion clinic.
Donna Lieberman, executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union considers the bill to be balanced in respecting the protester’s free-speech rights and the right to an abortion. “When people get in the way of other people, it is not free speech. Women have a right to access,” said Lieberman, at a city hall press conference. The bill is intended to ease the burden of proof by replacing the “intent” requirement with that of “knowingly blocking or obstructing access.”
The Sept. 24 press conference announcing the bill coincides with the launch of the 40 Days For Life, a nationwide campaign of protest and prayer vigils against abortions.
Within the Jackson Heights and Corona neighborhoods in Queens, there is a large concentration of clinics. Underneath the rumble of the elevated 7 train on Roosevelt Avenue, Chris Slattery was giving out literature discouraging abortion. He denied the harassment charges behind the proposed bill. “It sounds unconstitutional,” said Slattery. “We hadn’t had a single lawsuit or arrest. Where are the police, if we are so intimidating?”
Slattery is the president of Expectant Mother Care-EMC FrontLine Pregnancy Centers, which since 1985 claims to have prevented 17,000 abortions. He is also the Queens and Bronx coordinator of the 40 Days campaign. “This morning, we had two women in the South Bronx choose to prevent abortion. Ask them if they felt harassed,” said Slattery.
“Our daily groups are usually three to six people. Large groups pray at a distance from the center,” Slattery said. To avoid police intervention, the campaign makes participants sign a “Statement of Peace” promising compliance with the law and “godly behavior.”
Slattery’s campaign website describes the neighborhood as “Abortion Row,” noting that there are 10 abortion clinics located within a mile and a half of 89th street and Roosevelt Avenue, where there are two clinics on the same block.
Councilwoman Helen Sears, who represents this neighborhood, described the bill as ensuring safety for clients. Her colleague Jessica Lappin called the 15-foot rule as a necessary buffer zone.
The bill is pending in the council’s Civil Rights Committee and will be voted on in the coming weeks.