Judge Rules Against Anti-Abortionists

U.S. District Judge Wallace Tashima Friday turned down a request by anti-abortion protesters that he bar Los Angeles police from using so-called pain compliance holds against them when making arrests. Tashima ruled that the protesters had not demonstrated that they faced “irreparable harm” if he turned down their request.

He set Oct. 2 as the date for a hearing on the protesters’ request for a preliminary injunction against the holds and the use of nunchakus--two sticks attached by a chain. On Thursday, six Operation Rescue protesters filed suit asserting that Los Angeles police officers selectively and unnecessarily used the nunchakus against them during a June 10 demonstration outside a Los Angeles women’s clinic.

The plaintiffs, represented by Samuel Casey of the Rutherford Institute, a nonprofit legal organization, asserted that the use of the weapons against peaceful demonstrators is unconstitutional.

But Assistant City Atty. Jack Brown said the use of pain compliance holds and the nunchaku is appropriate in situations where masses of demonstrators go limp.