On Abortion Protesters

We should never take the freedoms we enjoy as Americans for granted, even when we don't agree with the way some people exercise these freedoms.

One of the hallmarks of American liberty is legalized protest. Freedom of speech is guaranteed by the First Amendment to the Constitution. Though this right is not absolute, the courts give a great deal of leeway to protesters in what they may say: provided the protest is not "hate speech" or pornography, it is usually protected. This puts those of us who sometimes risk their lives to provide terminations in a quandary. Frequently, our offices or parking lots are surrounded by protesters who do their best to discourage medical staff and patients seeking termination from entering the facility. Generally (and their are rare violent exceptions), these protesters are harmless, devoutly religious senior citizens who believe they are carrying out God's will by trying to "save the unborn." But to that end, they use inflammatory rhetoric to verbally harass those coming in for care, calling them "baby killers" and proudly displaying grotesque, misleading pictures of fetuses.

It's my right to disagree with these people, and I do. Sure, I'd like them to go away. Yet as distasteful as their tactics are, provided the protesters keep their distance and don't physically interfere with anyone, it's the price we pay for living in a free society.