The Minneapolis City Council is poised to pass a proposal that would make it illegal to obstruct the entrances and driveways of abortion clinics.
During a Public Health and Safety Committee public hearing Wednesday, staff from Planned Parenthood's Minneapolis Health Center told officials that a recent uptick in protests has endangered drivers and pedestrians. The Uptown clinic is the only facility in the city that performs abortions.
Similar laws prohibiting obstruction at abortion clinics exist at the federal and state levels, but a local ordinance would give police more enforcement capabilities.
"We're not doing this to make a point. We're doing it to make a difference in the lives of women seeking reproductive health care," said Council Member Lisa Goodman, who authored the ordinance.
Planned Parenthood workers and volunteers testified that since the U.S. Supreme Court in late June overturned Roe v. Wade, which had for nearly half a century guaranteed a federal right to abortion, anti-abortion protesters have shown up in greater numbers and acted more aggressively. The health center's parking lot is located off a busy street, where staff members and volunteers said they've seen near-crashes multiple times.
"We're trying to get ahead of that before an accident happens," Tim Stanley, vice president of public affairs for Planned Parenthood North Central States, said in an interview. "It really puts public safety at risk."
The ordinance would allow the clinic to permanently mark its driveway boundaries. Protesters would still be able to stand on the sidewalk near the clinic, as long as they do not obstruct people entering or exiting the building.
The intent of the ordinance is to "offer additional protections for reproductive health care facilities in Minneapolis while still protecting the first amendment rights of anti-abortion protestors," a staff report said.
