A Day in the Life of an Abortion Clinic Escort

Thank you for your work.

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for this. I am one who is also at the abortion and contraception clinic, but it's in Akron OH.
We recently had an escort brutally assaulted.
Here is my letter to our local paper about it.
posted in the Akron Beacon Journal
Published on Friday, Sep 18, 2009

End anti-abortion violence

I have read the article about the assault on Charles Wright by his alleged assailant, Nathan Chesley (''Arrest in assault,'' Sept. 4). While some reports are factual, others have been misleading. The article Sept. 4 implied the two men were merely on differing sides of a protest. This was not the case.

Nathan Chesley was one of a group of people who gather outside a local, legal abortion clinic to harass the women and their companions as they enter and as they leave. They yell horrible things to these women and the people who accompany them. They hold up disgusting signs and shout while trying to block the way inside.

Wright is one of a few who gallantly defends these clients. He is one of a few who stand up for the rights of women, bravely making sure these women do not have their access barred. He is one of a few who try to keep the anti-choice zealots from harassing these women and their boyfriends, husbands, mothers and friends. It is directly due to the conduct of the anti-choice protesters that there is a need for a defensive presence.

Wright was brutally assaulted, resulting in six broken ribs and him being knocked unconscious. Chesley has been identified by witnesses and has been charged with the assault.

This is the violence that is being shown across the country in the form of threats, bodily harm, vandalism and murder. Call it what it is: domestic terrorism. We must allow no tolerance for this violence. We must allow a safe environment for women who are exercising their legal rights to abortion, and for the doctors and staff who provide them.

As we await the outcome, I am proud to stand with the defenders of women and sanity.
Cat Givens
Akron

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when they leave, after their procedure?

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to conduct verbally,spacially violent "protest" when citizens in pittsburgh at the G20 summit were denied the right to peaceful protest?
These escorts shold be trained in self defense.There are plenty of open carry weapons they could employ to thwart assault. Oh, that would prolly only apply to the whackjob "pro-lifers"

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I know I've posted this before, but I think it's important. I am indebted to the alternet poster who introduced it a few years ago. An important thing to remember about the "protesters" is that they probably have no fewer abortions than the general population.

http://mypage.direct.ca/w/writer/anti-tales.html


"The Only Moral Abortion is My Abortion"

When the Anti-Choice Choose

By Joyce Arthur

Copyright © September, 2000

Abortion is a highly personal decision that many women are sure they'll never have to think about until they're suddenly faced with an unexpected pregnancy. But this can happen to anyone, including women who are strongly anti-choice. So what does an anti-choice woman do when she experiences an unwanted pregnancy herself? Often, she will grin and bear it, so to speak, but frequently, she opts for the solution she would deny to other women -- abortion.

In the spring of 2000, I collected the following anecdotes directly from abortion doctors and other clinic staff in North America, Australia, and Europe. The stories are presented in the providers' own words, with minor editing for grammar, clarity, and brevity. Names have been omitted to protect privacy.

"I have done several abortions on women who have regularly picketed my clinics, including a 16 year old schoolgirl who came back to picket the day after her abortion, about three years ago. During her whole stay at the clinic, we felt that she was not quite right, but there were no real warning bells. She insisted that the abortion was her idea and assured us that all was OK. She went through the procedure very smoothly and was discharged with no problems. A quite routine operation. Next morning she was with her mother and several school mates in front of the clinic with the usual anti posters and chants. It appears that she got the abortion she needed and still displayed the appropriate anti views expected of her by her parents, teachers, and peers." (Physician, Australia)

"I've had several cases over the years in which the anti-abortion patient had rationalized in one way or another that her case was the only exception, but the one that really made an impression was the college senior who was the president of her campus Right-to-Life organization, meaning that she had worked very hard in that organization for several years. As I was completing her procedure, I asked what she planned to do about her high office in the RTL organization. Her response was a wide-eyed, 'You're not going to tell them, are you!?' When assured that I was not, she breathed a sigh of relief, explaining how important that position was to her and how she wouldn't want this to interfere with it." (Physician, Texas)

"In 1990, in the Boston area, Operation Rescue and other groups were regularly blockading the clinics, and many of us went every Saturday morning for months to help women and staff get in. As a result, we knew many of the 'antis' by face. One morning, a woman who had been a regular 'sidewalk counselor' went into the clinic with a young woman who looked like she was 16-17, and obviously her daughter. When the mother came out about an hour later, I had to go up and ask her if her daughter's situation had caused her to change her mind. 'I don't expect you to understand my daughter's situation!' she angrily replied. The following Saturday, she was back, pleading with women entering the clinic not to 'murder their babies.'" (Clinic escort, Massachusetts)

"We too have seen our share of anti-choice women, ones the counselors usually grit their teeth over. Just last week a woman announced loudly enough for all to hear in the recovery room, that she thought abortion should be illegal. Amazingly, this was her second abortion within the last few months, having gotten pregnant again within a month of the first abortion.

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Could clinic install and operate those devices that broadcast high pitch ultra sounds used in malls to "move along" unwanted teens?

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Genesis 38:24. Tamar's pregnancy was discovered three months after conception, presumably because it was visible at the time. This was positive proof that she was sexually active. Because she was a widow, without a husband, she was assumed to be a prostitute. Her father-in-law, Judah, ordered that she be burned alive for her crime. If Tamar's fetuses had been considered to have any value whatsoever, her execution would have been delayed until after their birth. There was no condemnation on Judah for deciding to take this action.

Exodus 21:22-24. If two men are fighting and one injures a pregnant woman and the fetus is killed, he shall repay her according to the degree of injury inflicted upon her, and not the fetus.

Author Brian McKinley, a born-again Christian, sums up the passage as:

"Thus we can see that if the baby is lost, it does not require a death sentence-it is not considered murder. But if the woman is lost, it is considered murder and is punished by death."

Halacha (Jewish Law) defines when a fetus becomes a nephesh (person), a full-fledged human being, when the head emerges from the womb. Before then, the fetus is considered a "partial-life". The fetus has great value because it is potentially a human life, it gains full human status after birth only.

Abortions are not permitted on the grounds of genetic imperfections of the fetus. Abortions are permitted to save the mother's life or health. With the exception of some Orthodox authorities, Judaism supports abortion access for women. Each case must be decided individually by a rabbi well-versed in Jewish law.

The Babylonian Talmud (Yevamot 69b) states that: "the embryo is considered to be mere water until the fortieth day." Afterwards, it is considered subhuman until it is born. Rashi, the great 12th century commentator on the Bible and the Talmud, states clearly of the fetus 'lav nephesh hu--it is not a person.' The Talmud contains the expression, "the thigh of its mother," i.e., the fetus is deemed to be part and parcel of the pregnant woman's body.

This is grounded in Exodus 21:22, in a case where a man is responsible for causing a woman's miscarriage, which kills the fetus. If the woman survives, then the perpetrator has to pay a fine to the woman's husband. If the woman is killed, the perpetrator is also killed. This indicates that the fetus has value, but does not have the status of a person.

There are two additional passages in the Talmud which shed some light on abortion. They imply that the fetus is considered part of its mother: One section states that if a man purchases a cow that is found to be pregnant, then he is owner of both the cow and the fetus. Another section states that if a pregnant woman converts to Judaism, that her conversion also applies to her fetus.

Some Jewish authorities have ruled in specific cases. one case involved a woman who becomes pregnant while nursing a child. Her milk supply would dry up. If the child is allergic to all other forms of nutrition except mother's milk, then it would starve. An abortion would be permitted in this case, a potential person, would be justified to save the life of the child, an actual person.

Conservative, Reconstructionist and Reform Judaism are formally opposed to government regulation of abortion. They feel that the decision should rest with the woman, her husband, her doctor and her clergyperson. Some Orthodox authorities agree with this stance. Polls have found up to 90% of American Jews supporting abortion rights.

The New Testament is more permissive than the Old. Paul claims Jesus told him three times, "my grace is sufficient for thee" (II Corinthians 12:8-9), and Christians misinterpret this verse to mean they're free to do as they please--ignoring Jesus' and Paul's other teachings. Pro-lifers need to become secular.

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I live in Nebraska, and the only abortion doctor in the state--Dr. Carhart--is in Omaha and I assume he is being harassed by the crazies we have out here.

I would like to know how I can be a volunteer/escort for this clinic. Do I give them a call and offer my services? Any advice would be appreciated!

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This article is a great reminder that although it always seems like the anti-lifers have the spotlight, that means that the pro-choicers who are active mean that much more when an individual woman is making decisions and legally acting on them.

Plus that women go to women's clinics for things other than abortions is something protesters should really take to heart.

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THANK YOU FOR HELPING THESE WOMEN.

WHERE IS LAW ENFORCEMENT WHILE THIS IS GOING ON?

AND YES, I AGREE WITH THE COMMENTER WHO SUGGESTED USING THE DEAFENING SOUND DEVICES ON THESE DANGEROUS PEOPLE OUTSIDE THE CLINIC.

IF MEN WERE THE ONES HAVING THE ABORTIONS, WOULD THIS BE GOING ON?

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Abortion clinic escorts are some of the bravest people out there. My hat is off to all of you. Thank you for all you do to support women! Be careful, be safe ...

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Thank you for all that you do to help women that are already dealing with a difficult decision shouldn't have to put up with ignorant, closed-minded bible thumpers! The next time that you're confronted by these "pro-life" people maybe you should ask them the following:

1)If you are pro-life how many children have you adopted/fostered?

2)If you are pro-life how many children with working class mothers that can't afford child-care do you provide free child-care for?

3)If you are pro-life how many times have you been to the childrens ward of xxxx Hospital to read, make clown faces for, provide coffee to the parents, etc. for?

4)If you are pro-life why are you not fighting for quality health-care and education for our children?

5)If you are pro-life why are you fighting for more abused women/children shelters?

Ok so it's just a few things that people who are really "pro-life" might be thinking about!

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I used to be a clinic escort in NYC in the early 90's and what you describe here is pretty much how I remember it. It's a bit sad that nothing has changed. The anti's (as in antichoice), while we were walking women to the door of the clinic, used to call us feminazis (you remember Pat Buchanan coined that phrase after Susan Faludi came out with Backlash) and say things like "why does this white lesbian want you to kill your black baby" -- totally below the belt (and how do you know I'm a lesbian anyway, you freak? It's like saying a straight women would never do escort work, or lesbians hate infants -- whatEVer). These folks protesting outside the clinics, they are a special breed, no doubt. My hat's off to you for sticking it out.

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I saw a short doumentary a couple of years ago about escorts and thought it was such a decent thing to do. I'm glad you're still around. There are more of you than I realized. Good work. I'm sure the women are very grateful to you. ANNA

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Several years ago I was on hand to escort two women into a clinic as 250 demonstrators were gathering to try to shut down the clinic. A couple of the demonstrators were "counseling" Jesus doesn't want to to kill your baby. I replied that Jesus said no such thing. They asked if I was a minister. I replied in the affirmative and they backed off. Fifty of them were arrested for trespassing when police told them they either had to leave or be arrested. Two days later the clinic was dynamited and destroyed. The culprits were later apprehended, as one of them was dumb enough to pay for the explosives with his own credit card. So, commendations to Anonymous for her or his courage and devotion to women's freedom of conscience. --- Edd Doerr, Pres., Americans for Religious Liberty, www.arlinc.org

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As it happens, I was talking two days ago with a neighbor who volunteers at our local Planned Parenthood clinic and she was saying she thought there was a law requiring protesters to keep a certain distance from their clinic but at the PPA where she works protesters are right up against the door. Does anyone happen to know the law about this? (And she's right---I have walked past this PPA and every weekend the protesters are marching and picketing on the sidewalk right in front of the clinic door.)

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I carry a firearm (with a permit, of course). Before I got the permit (and the guns), I had to decide whether I'm peaceful and calm enough to carry it. I could use it in self-defense, or to defend others, but I like to believe that there's nothing anyone could say to me (other than "I'm going to kill you right now") that would get them shot.

I know that almost nothing would make me angry enough to use it... but I don't want to push my luck.

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Instead of having a trained doctor perform an abortion, people could get rid of unwanted fetuses in more simple ways.

For example, a fetus could be naturally expunged, then used as firewood. The problem with this is that the crying covers the sound of the crackle of the fire for the first few seconds. After that, feel free to roast some marshmallows.

Simple exposure worked well for the Spartans.

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Here's the law.

Further info: there was a case heard by the Supreme Court in 2005 affecting protesters.

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I am so sad, but not surprised, about your experience as a clinic escort. I was the director of a womens health clinic in Wisconsin for 14 years, and our experiences were also frightening, both to staff and patients. Further more, the District Attorney refused to prosecute these people because he was "pro-life" HA! my husband's arm was severely fractured by one of them as he tried to photograph a man who threatened to set our cars in fire, a NEWS reporter was battered with a sign and I was thrown into the street. Our children were threatened, the clinic invaded, locks glued, patients were photographed and told that the doctors would sexually assault them, and.....all the rest. And this was 21 years ago! So yes, after the murders, the assaults, the threats and invasions it must stop. Good luck to you wonderful people who try to help. Blessings to you for your mercy and your courage. But please be careful.

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I was a volunteer at PP in the late 70s and we didn't have the protestors yet. I'm on my way to the local office to volunteer as an escort. I had been thinking it over these last two weeks, and especially since Dr. Tiller's murder. Thank you for posting this and helping me get off my butt!
Becky

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Thank you.

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I used to work as an escort in Columbia, Missouri,
working every Saturdays, with an off-duty policeman (both of us guys). We'd work from 7 a.m., until the appointments were completed & the visitor parking lot was empty. (Yes, some of the scheduled visits were abortions, but most were for other medical considerations.)

The screaming voices & rude signs that would drift & wave across the street & over the sidewalks (their legal boundaries) @anyone who was entering (or leaving!) –– & at us –– were quite similar to the recent tea bagger & town meeting's out-of-control hate. To see one's "friends" & fellow townspeople acting in such a way, terrifying the visitors (daughters, wives, fathers, brothers & gran'mas) was pretty awful & I have never forgotten it. Real violence was rare, but the threat of violence was continual –– an energy fed by misunderstanding, wrong-headed religion & the before-mentioned evil (hate). It was a lot of need, focus & long thinking that helped those people (though escorted & protected) walk past those people & into the clinic. It was something I have always admired. (Not to mention the employees & doctors who worked there.)

But, you know, I've never regretted helping or being there ... I just regret & despise the protester's self-righteous willingness to put added fear into people with more important matters on their minds: there was more than enough unease in many of the patients, no additional fears were in order or required.

m. swof.

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Yesterday, I was discussing with a friend of mine the difficult decision a woman has made when she chooses to have an abortion. Despite what the more militant wing of the pro-life movement would have people believe, I doubt that many women come to that conclusion flippantly. Women agonize over that choice, and from what I can gather, the women who make that difficult choice have done so because they do not feel they have any other viable options.

While I cannot see myself in a position of ever choosing to abort, I choose to offer compassion to those who have made that choice. I don't think it was made easily.

I have a 9 month old baby. When I was carrying him, I was advised to terminate the pregnancy because of the situation with his father. His father was (is, most likely) an abusive drunk, and he promised he would never leave me alone. As it is, I haven't heard from him in over a year and a half, and my son and I live very peacefully.

I was terrified throughout my entire pregnancy, though. If I would not have had the support system that I have, I can easily see how the choice to terminate would have been more appealing. I can see why a woman would make that choice.

I think that if we are going to talk about choices, we should talk about the third option that neither side of the debate likes to mention: Adoption.

From what I can gather, many women who abort do not do so because they are afraid of the pregnancy. They do so because they do not feel equipped for all that comes after giving birth. Meanwhile, there are many people who want to adopt a baby, and would love to support a mother-to-be as she carries the child and prepares for the adoption.

Neither choice, either to terminate or to give up the baby for adoption, would be easy. However, the women I've talked to who have had abortions are haunted by that choice for years. I think we could all agree that there is another option, and there is no harm in talking about it with these women who are...often, very reluctantly...choosing to abort.

The best thing a pro-life group could do is offer these women compassion, not judgment, and really listen to their reasons for making that choice. Then, if it is still possible and it is what they want, help them go through the adoption process, standing with them every step of the way.

Abortion or motherhood are both all or nothing choices. There is another option, which can bring peace to everyone involved.

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I think the criminalizing rhetoric needs to be removed from the discussion. Women who choose to abort are not murderers, nor are their doctors.

I have to admit that I have a very difficult time with abortion past three months, because I remember feeling my son move, seeing him on the ultrasound, etc...and he looked every bit like a baby, albeit a transparent one.

That said, I think it is still of the utmost importance for pro-life groups to extend compassion to women who are facing an unplanned pregnancy, and understand where they are coming from as they deliberate their options. We need to offer real options, not hateful words, judgment, and criminalizing rhetoric.

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