Justice Department Wants Clinic Buffer Zone Expanded, Fines Imposed

Abortionist testifies in federal court that pro-lifer threatened him
Kathleen Baydala / Clarion Ledger
A "physician" at Mississippi's only abortion clinic testified Thursday in federal court that a longtime anti-abortion protester had threatened him several times over the last few years, causing him to fear for his life. The testimony came during a hearing before U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate to determine whether activist Roy McMillan violated a 1996 federal consent decree prohibiting him from coming within 25 feet of the Jackson Women's Health Organization clinic on North State Street.

Dr. Joseph Booker Jr., who has worked at the JWHO clinic for four years, said McMillan has told him, "Your days are numbered." And, "You could die today." Are you prepared to meet your maker?"

McMillan has stated in court documents that the First Amendment protects his right to protest and that his words were not threats. Bush's attorneys at the U.S. Department of Justice Attorneys for the U.S. Department of Justice have alleged McMillan violated the consent decree by frequently stepping over the 25-foot buffer zone. The Department is asking the judge to increase the boundary to 50 feet, order McMillan to pay a "doctor" at the clinic $20,000 for threats made and to impose a $1,000 fine for any future violations. Read more...

Related:
Witness: Abortion Protester Has Violated Court Order
Kathleen Baydala / Clarion Ledger
Jackson anti-abortion activist Roy McMillan has violated a federal consent decree by crossing boundaries during his protests of a Jackson abortion clinic, according to a witness for the prosecution who testified in federal court. The testimony is part of a hearing before U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate. The U.S. Department of Justice has alleged McMillan violated a decade-old consent decree prohibiting him from coming within 25 feet of the Jackson Women’s Health Organization's clinic on State Street and using threats against its staff. Alan Lange, president of Kinetic Staffing on State Street, just across from the clinic, said he has measured and marked the side street in front of the clinic's entrance and has seen McMillan cross it "several dozen times." Lange described McMillan as a "regular visitor to the neighborhood." He said McMillan stands outside the clinic several days a week for long periods of time often carrying signs and approaches cars that appear to be entering the clinic.

Posted by Editor at March 21, 2008 04:11 PM