Abortion Protest Barred at Kerry House

[BaysideLiberal]

BOSTON - A federal judge refused Monday to let anti-abortion groups demonstrate in front of Sen. John Kerry (news - web sites)'s Beacon Hill town house

I'm not going to second-guess the Secret Service's idea of how they feel they need to protect a presidential candidate," U.S. District Judge Nathaniel Gorton said.


The groups had filed a lawsuit contending the city improperly revoked their permits to demonstrate. Operation Rescue and several other anti-abortion groups had planned to pray and lay roses outside Kerry's home during the Democratic National Convention. Kerry supports abortion rights.


Mary Jo Harris, a legal adviser to the Boston Police Department, said the city revoked the permit at the request of the Secret Service, which believed the demonstration zone was too close to Kerry's residence. She said the groups were offered another location about a block from Kerry's house. The groups turned down the offer and said they would likely not appeal the judge's decision.


"The Democratic National Convention should be welcoming free speech, not crushing it," said the Rev. Pat Mahoney, director of the Christian Defense Coalition, one of the anti-abortion groups. "It is clear regardless of whatever one's political views are, the First Amendment is not welcome here in Boston during the Democratic National Convention."

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=694&u=/ap/20040726/ap_on_el_pr/cvn_protests_3&printer=1

[shoelace414]

1. they wern't protesting the convention

they were protesting his HOUSE.

[Dover]

2. Apparently they haven't attempted to protest at Bush's Crawford ranch

I'd like to see them try.

[Piperay]

3. Good

it's not just Kerry's house but it would disrupt the whole neighborhood, makes it to hard to protect.

[blm]

4. Maybe anti-abortion protestors should make sure noone is carrying a gun

to their protests FIRST before they start lecturing others on free speech.

[Spangle]

5. Just following the new Bush guide lines

I guess everyone hasn't been paying attention.

There are now RULES about when/where/how you can protest.

And as usual, Republicans don't believe they should follow the same rules they make Democrats follow.

When Kerry is elected, when repukes complain, I'm going to tell them to take the issue up with Bush. Those are HIS rules. And considering how Clinton was treated while President and WE were not allowed to protest Bush.....