Clinic Defense
Although abortion access was legalized in 1973, the vast majority of the procedures have always been provided by stand-alone clinics, which have been targeted by both legislative attacks and physical harassment by the anti-choice movement in an effort to shut them down. Today, whether or not we live under state bans or restrictions, the biggest barrier to access has become the shrinking number of clinics able who provide this service, proving this right-wing strategy to be all-too effective. The fight to open more clinics, find more providers, and protect our reproductive healthcare is a long one, but the immediate answer to keeping our current clinics open is to organize our communities and defend them.
Clinic defense is a form of community organization as old as the attacks on clinics, but has its roots in anti-fascist organization. The call is simple: when right wing extremists gather at a clinic to intimidate, harass, convince, destroy, or otherwise interrupt its work, we all share a responsibility to stop them.
How do we defend a clinic?
Clinic defense can look and feel different depending on where you are, the needs of the clinic, and the level of vitriol you are dealing with on the street. Most importantly, a defense needs the following:
A stand-alone clinic that is targeted by anti-abortion harassment. It's best to check out the area, gauge the level of attention they get, find out if they ever get picked for national calls to action by anti-choice organizations, and try to build some trust with the clinic staff whose top priority is their patients.
A group large enough to form a line of defense in front of the clinic entrance while providing room for patients and staff to safely access the building--think of a strike picket or just a wall of bodies standing shoulder-to-shoulder. There's safety in numbers, and the harassers will be less willing to try risky tactics or even stay for very long if they feel outnumbered. If you can't outnumber them, your presence is still important and interrupts their efforts.
Some signs that make it clear that your group is on the side of the clinic, providers, and patients--not the harassers! Clinic defense has become much less common since the 90s, and patients will tend to assume that a crowd is there to protest. Make your messaging simple, clear, and positive! People will stop and realize that you're the good ones.
Always prioritize the safety of patients! Most clinics will have their own escorts or security team who can tell you their best practices or give you great information about any well-known harassers. For example, we try not to rush cars that are dropping off patients because escorts have pointed out how disorienting this is for the patients, and instead we wait until they are safely behind our line before moving to block a wanna-be religious counselor.
Here's how a clinic defense usually looks in Philly:
We show up before the big anti groups do--they can't take that space if we're already there.
A human barrier between the antis and the clinic sidewalk--sidewalks need to stay clear, and traffic must be able to get through. Local police presence has created a "designated" side of the street each group is allowed to be on, and physically approaching or touching the other side can quickly escalate into violence or arrest, so we stick together on our line.
Lots of beautiful signs that make our politics loud and clear, and a big banner to help provide safe space in front of the entrance.
Noise makers, music, chanting, and singing! We only escalate noise when the harassers do (they sometimes bring speaker systems), but some joyous raucous also helps keep the vibes good and the energy high.
Sharing stories and the importance of abortions that are legal, accessible, and affordable.
