BY CAROLE LESNICK
LOS ANGELES - Abortion rights supporters in Los Angeles successfully out-mobilized Operation Rescue (OR) May 27 and kept abortion and family planning clinics in the area open.
The nationally organized anti-choice group had announced plans to blockade the clinics as a challenge to the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE), which imposes federal penalties for blocking access to health clinics or intimidating people entering the facilities. Operation Rescue's trademark is harassing clinic patients and staff and attempting to physically shut down abortion clinics.
Mobilizing at 5 a.m., pro-choice forces set up defense lines at 10 clinics in the Los Angeles area where the abortion rights foes might show up. "A legal act where people exercise their right to control their bodies is threatened, and I find that scary," said a 25-year-old site leader at a Planned Parenthood clinic in the San Fernando Valley. She has defended clinics for five years, and added, "I plan to continue this work." The showdown with the anti- abortion rights forces occurred outside the entrance to the Clinica Medica Para la Mujer, located in a small mall in North Hollywood. The clinic serves a mostly Latino working- class population.
At the height of the confrontation Operation Rescue was outnumbered 300 to 70 by the highly organized contingent of abortion rights supporters who arrived at the clinic first and others who were called in for backup after OR arrived. At one point the anti-choice demonstrators surrounded clinic supporters guarding the door, effectively blocking anyone from entering. The police took more than two hours to arrest the 25 people blocking access to the clinic doors.
The clinic defenders were able to safely escort some staff and patients inside, according to Katherine Spillar, national coordinator of the Feminist Majority Foundation. "The turnout was good, our tactical maneuvers came off without a hitch. I'm anxious to see prosecutions," Spillar said.
Among those arrested was Jeff White, the leader of OR California. A federal prosecutor cited in the Los Angeles Times would not comment on whether or not the demonstrators would be charged with violating FACE. Soon after the arrests, dozens of mounted police insisted on dispersing all demonstrators.
Some abortion rights activists see the FACE law as one step to protect women's rights. Others, however, point out that while the law is currently being used against antiabortion activity, it is dangerous because it can be applied to any kind of civil disobedience.
The strength shown by pro-abortion forces at the clinic door and in the large picket line adjacent to the clinic was inspiring to all who participated in the defense. Some participated for the first time, like 17-year-old Joanna Liebross, a student at Cleveland High School. "I support the cause and want to get out in the pro-choice movement," she said. "I'm a gay man who's been involved with a lot of civil rights things over the years," said clinic defender Tom Dichioccio. "More of us have to go out to events like these and speak up!"