A Spokane County judge has issued a preliminary injunction that will, for now, stop anti-abortion protests immediately outside the Spokane Planned Parenthood clinic.
Superior Court Judge Raymond Clary ruled Monday in a lawsuit filed against several people who gather outside the clinic under the name “The Church at Planned Parenthood.”
Planned Parenthood claims the noisy gatherings are meant to harass staff and patients at the clinic.
In his decision, Clary ruled the protests run contrary to city noise laws and must be moved at least 35 feet away from the clinic, for example, across the street. And he said the protestors must wait until at least an hour after Planned Parenthood closes at 6 p.m.
Planned Parenthood spokesman Paul Dillon says his organization is happy with the ruling.
“This really does send a clear message. What we’ve been saying all along is these protests operate outside the bounds of the law. We’re really thankful that the law was upheld and the courts ruled in our favor to protect access to reproductive health care," he said.
Dillon says the ruling will start a legal process that could lead to a negotiated settlement or further court action.
