Bishops hit AG on protests

Mr. Spitzer has filed a lawsuit to:

* expand the 15-foot "buffer zone" that keeps pro-life protesters away from abortion clinic entrances to as much as 60 feet; and

* ban protesters' use of loudspeakers, megaphones or other "excessive noise" within 1,000 feet of the clinics.

Mr. Spitzer cites 13 facilities in four counties in western New York that he hopes to "protect" in his suit. One section of the suit asks that protesters at a Buffalo clinic be prevented from "demonstrating, standing, sitting, lying down or posting or carrying signs" on certain city blocks.

The Attorney General's lawsuit names Operation Rescue National, the organization planning the protest, as well as individuals from the Rochester and Buffalo dioceses (though not the dioceses or their bishops).

In response, the bishops of New York State released a statement this week "affirm[ing] the right of all citizens to express their views peacefully and publicly on issues of concern."

The bishops note that "our country and our state have a long, rich tradition of free speech and public assembly by people committed to a variety of social causes," and call Mr. Spitzer's lawsuit a "clearly prejudicial" action that "cannot be reconciled with this American tradition."

The focus of the suit, the bishops say, are "presumptive allegations that the named persons will violate the law simply because they have publicly spoken against abortion in the past. Such unjust and arbitrary accusations not only hurt and violate the rights of those accused, but also may have a chilling effect on all who cherish their Constitutionally-protected First Amendment rights to speech, assembly and expression."

As controversy swirls around "Operation Save America," Catholics are also being asked not to forget unborn children killed during partial-birth abortion. A vote is expected in the State Assembly by April 12 on a "motion-to-discharge" a ban on partial-birth abortion.

The Catholic Conference has asked Catholics to contact their Assemblypersons to voice their support for the ban. Meg Bergh, Albany Diocesan Family Life Office associate director for respect life issues, offered the following ideas:

* Tell your Assembly member that you would be deeply distressed if he/she prevented this measure from coming to the floor of the Assembly for a vote; and

* Ask your Assembly member if he/she considers the issue of partial-birth abortion a serious and important matter.

(04-08-99) [[In-content Ad]]