NOW Sues to Halt Disruption of Clinics

The National Organization for Women went to court Friday in an attempt to stop an anti-abortion group from blocking abortion clinics.

The organization alleges in a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court that members of Operation Rescue plan to illegally harass and intimidate patients and employees in abortion clinic demonstrations scheduled to begin on Nov. 10 in the Washington area.

NOW seeks a preliminary injunction to prohibit “trespassing on, sitting in, blocking, impeding or obstructing . . . any facility” offering abortions, family planning or gynecological services.

But, if a court order is issued, Operation Rescue will proceed with its plans, said members of the organization, which has demonstrated at abortion clinics around the country.

NOW is asking U.S. District Judge Louis Oberdorfer to fine Operation Rescue $25,000 a day if the group violates any preliminary injunction the judge might issue.