A pro-life group in Toledo, in the U.S. state of Ohio, has found an ingenious solution to the threat of a buffer zone law around the only abortion clinic operating in the city.
Foundation for Life has raised enough funds to purchase a car park opposite the clinic so that they may avoid any potential restrictions and continue to assist women.
The car park is often used by women visiting the abortion clinic, with staff being sent to escort them across the road to isolate them from pro-life counsellors.
In February, Toledo City Council introduced a draft law called the Patient Safety Ordinance, which would create harmful buffer zones preventing counsellors from coming within 8 feet of any person trying to visit an abortion facility. The law has yet to be put before the council chamber for a vote.
Foundation for Life’s $35,000 purchase of the car park should mean that women will continue to receive hope and support from the pro-lifers in the event of the city ordinance being passed into law.
Ed Sitter, executive director of Foundation for Life, said: “We were thrilled to have the opportunity and grateful for the three generous donors who stepped up and enabled us to purchase the property.”
Sitter revealed that the group managed to acquire the land for half of its asking price as the original owner was pro-life.
Buffer zones rob women of true choice
SPUC’s Michael Robinson said: “Foundation for Life has found a wonderfully creative solution to the problem of buffer zones in their city, backed up by the generous support of donors, as well as a sympathetic vendor.
“Buffer zones vilify and prevent life-saving actions founded most of all on love. Far from protecting pregnant women, these zones rob women of any other choice but abortion.
“As the 2018 UK Home Office Review found “the main activities reported to us that take place during protests include praying, displaying banners and handing out leaflets” and therefore, ‘national buffer zones would not be a proportionate response’, then-Home Secretary Sajid Javid concluded.”
Visit SPUC’s page “Say No to Buffer Zones” here: https://spuc.org.uk/SaveTheRightToSaveLives