Take Action: Tell Your Alderman to Support the Buffer Zone Ordinance

Last Wednesday, the Chicago City Council's Human Relations Committee approved an ordinance that would prohibit the use of force, threats, and obstruction directed towards individuals entering or leaving a medical facility. This ordinance would also create a 50-foot buffer zone outside the entrance of all health clinics, in which all individuals would need permission in order to come within 8 feet of another person. Violations would result in a fine of up to $500.

People seeking medical care at health clinics that perform abortions often face harassment from anti-choice protesters. Some protesters use deceptive and threatening tactics, such as pretending to be health care workers or videotaping those who enter a clinic.

A buffer zone would defend Chicago residents' right to reproductive freedom by banning the use of intimidation tactics and by creating the physical space necessary to protect patients, staff, and volunteers. At the same time, a protective zone would preserve the right to free speech by allowing anti-choice activists to protest peacefully from a safe distance.

A buffer zone ordinance is urgently needed. According to Planned Parenthood of Illinois, protestors at their clinics have become increasingly vicious since the May 31 murder of Dr. George Tiller. Without an ordinance to enforce, police lack the power to effectively protect the safety of those entering and exiting medical centers.

The full Chicago City Council is expected to vote on the ordinance tomorrow, October 7. Please contact your alderman immediately to tell him or her to vote in favor of the buffer zone ordinance. Look up your alderman's phone number and email address and take action:

* Call your alderman and say, "Please support the buffer zone ordinance at the City Council meeting tomorrow. Chicago residents have the right to access medical care facilities free of threats, harassment, and obstruction."

* Or, copy and paste the following message into an email to your alderman:

"Dear Alderman __,

Last Wednesday, the Chicago City Council's Human Relations Committee approved a proposal that would prohibit the use of force, threats and obstruction by health clinic protesters and create a buffer zone within a 50-foot radius of the entrance to medical facilities. This proposal is expected to be voted on in the City Council meeting on October 7.

I believe that people have the right to receive medical care and health workers have the right to provide that care without facing threats to their safety. A buffer zone is necessary to protect patients and medical workers from protesters who use threatening and deceptive tactics. Currently, without an ordinance to enforce, police lack the power to effectively protect the safety of those entering and exiting health centers.

For this reason, I support the buffer zone ordinance. I urge you to help break down barriers to health care access by attending the City Council meeting on October 7 and voting in favor of the buffer zone ordinance."

Read more:

Chicago City Council considers abortion protest personal space ordinance, Chicago Tribune

Proposal would protect those seeking abortions, Chicago Sun-Times

Protection for abortion patients: ordinance, NBC Chicago