Plans for Memorial to Women Who Died From Abortions Hits Snag

Planners of an annual vigil in memory of women who died from illegal abortions before the Supreme Court’s Roe vs. Wade decision have run into a snag.

The North Orange County chapter of the National Organization for Women has held the vigil in the Orange Plaza on the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s landmark decision for the past two years, said chapter coordinator Barbara Jackson. Only a Parks Department use permit was required, she said.

But this year, city officials told Jackson that the group would need a special event permit and liability insurance.

Lynn Tam, business services coordinator for the city, said the requirements would have been enforced in other years, but the event did not come to the attention of officials. Mothers Against Drunk Driving has had to meet the same requirements for its annual candlelight vigil, she said.

But Jackson objects to the requirements.

“Quite frankly, from our perspective, we should not have to have liability insurance just to use the city sidewalks,” Johnson said.

The vigil, scheduled for Jan. 22, will last about half an hour, Jackson said. Previously, about 50 participants have walked around the Orange Plaza carrying candles, she said, although she hopes as many as 150 will march this year.

Jackson told the City Council on Tuesday that the event is protected by freedom of speech and freedom of assembly.

City officials say that liability, not freedom of speech, is the issue.

In light of recent confrontations between pro-life and pro-choice groups in Orange County, it is not unreasonable to expect a confrontation, Councilman William Steiner said.

The City Council instructed the city attorney to meet with Jackson and the city manager about the requirements.