I’ve started volunteering as a “Greeter” at a local Planned Parenthood clinic.  Having known women who received healthcare through PP (not only abortions), I’ve been troubled for a long time by reports of the harassment women endure in these difficult moments in their lives.  The fact that this harassment and intimidation is coming from religious people particularly annoys me (I don’t think every person who stands outside a clinic is hateful, yet most are hurtful, even if they have “good intentions”).

I finally had to DO something, even something as small as a few hours a month greeting patients.

All I could say to fellow volunteers after my first shift was:

“This is certainly an education.  More people in the community need to see what’s going on here.”

Imagine this was you, or someone you love:

You’re going to your doctor’s office for an appointment.  Since it’s a personal matter, no one except your physician knows why you’re there (check up?, physical?, prescription?, minor surgery?).  As you drive into the parking lot, your car is immediately surrounded by strangers holding accusing signs and yelling at you.  One is videotaping you, your passenger, your license plate.  Several children hold up signs about dead babies.  You begin to stop, but then see someone in a bright vest waving you into a parking space.  You pull in right in front of a fence.  A volunteer asks if you have an appointment and offers to walk you to the door.

As you get out of the car, someone is looking down on you from over the fence.  With a bullhorn pointed at you, the preacher is shouting at you with Bible verses, calling you a murderer. You try to ignore them as you are ushered away to your appointment.  Inside, as you meet with your physician, you can still hear the aggressive shouting from outside.

When your private visit is over, you walk quickly to your vehicle under the shaming eyes peering over the fence, through the trees, from the driveway. As you drive out the back of the lot, another group stands close to the exit, “praying for you” (or, praying AT you).  Someone stands in the street and approaches the car.  When they thrust a small paper bag toward your window, you try to ignore them.

You drive off, feeling stunned, alone, angry these strangers–men, women, children; pastors and priests–believe they can hurt others in the name of their God.

Imagine it, because it happens–it happens every day, to hundreds of vulnerable people seeking healthcare. . .in America.

btw, the “pastor” with the bullhorn has a judge’s approval for his “free speech.”  He regularly brings his wife and kids of all ages to “protect the unborn children.”

Another volunteer and I wondered:

-Where are the people of faith who could be protecting and assisting the women?

-Where are the believers of any faith who don’t love to hound others or love to hate?

-Why does the city–government at all levels–allow the harassment, permitting the restrictions on personal freedom and privacy?

-Would this be allowed at any doctor’s office, any clinic, any hospital? (I have to ask: how about at any church?)

What we see isn’t “protesting,” it’s straight up harassment, intimidation, and threatening to personal safety.  If volunteers feel threatened, if clinic staff feel threatened, how much more do the women fear for their own safety?

Final note:  Greeting patients with kindness feels very similar to the “compassionate presence” we practiced in chaplaincy.  Now, as a secular person, these small actions are just as valuable and necessary.