The Harrisburg City Council unanimously passed an ordinance Tuesday night making it illegal to protest within 20 feet of a health care facility's front door.
The ordinance was set in place to protect those visiting the health care facilities. There have been incidents of violence in other cities, and the Harrisburg City Council wants to make sure that no violence occurs here.
"The ordinance essentially creates a 20-foot buffer zone around the entrance and exits of health care facilities in Harrisburg, and also around the driveway entrances as well," explained Heather Shumaker, Director of Public Affairs for Planned Parenthood of the Northeast, Mid-Penn and Bucks County.
Last night in a seven to zero vote, the Harrisburg City Council passed the ordinance creating a buffer zone around health care facilities.
This comes after Planned Parenthood starting providing abortions late last year.
"We began providing medication abortion in December of last year, and since that time we've seen an increase of protest," Shumaker told us.
Harrisburg City Council member Brad Koplinski explains that this is not to prevent protesting, but to keep people safe.
"This is not a free speech issue, this is not an issue regarding reproductive choice, this is really a safety issue," Koplinski told us.
"It's really about public safety and making sure people have access to health care services," agreed Shumaker.
Many cities throughout the country have created similar laws after protests turned violent.
"We wanted to make sure that doesn't happen in Harrisburg and that the public safety of our patients are protected," Shumaker addressed.
"Buffer zones have been around for about 20 years, they've passed all legal muster, and it should not be a concern in Harrisburg," concluded council member Koplinski.
The ordinance will go into law if Mayor Linda Thompson signs it. The City Council believes that she will sign it, and it will become law.
The ordinance was set in place to protect those visiting the health care facilities. There have been incidents of violence in other cities, and the Harrisburg City Council wants to make sure that no violence occurs here.
"The ordinance essentially creates a 20-foot buffer zone around the entrance and exits of health care facilities in Harrisburg, and also around the driveway entrances as well," explained Heather Shumaker, Director of Public Affairs for Planned Parenthood of the Northeast, Mid-Penn and Bucks County.
Last night in a seven to zero vote, the Harrisburg City Council passed the ordinance creating a buffer zone around health care facilities.
This comes after Planned Parenthood starting providing abortions late last year.
"We began providing medication abortion in December of last year, and since that time we've seen an increase of protest," Shumaker told us.
Harrisburg City Council member Brad Koplinski explains that this is not to prevent protesting, but to keep people safe.
"This is not a free speech issue, this is not an issue regarding reproductive choice, this is really a safety issue," Koplinski told us.
"It's really about public safety and making sure people have access to health care services," agreed Shumaker.
Many cities throughout the country have created similar laws after protests turned violent.
"We wanted to make sure that doesn't happen in Harrisburg and that the public safety of our patients are protected," Shumaker addressed.
"Buffer zones have been around for about 20 years, they've passed all legal muster, and it should not be a concern in Harrisburg," concluded council member Koplinski.
The ordinance will go into law if Mayor Linda Thompson signs it. The City Council believes that she will sign it, and it will become law.