The Catholic Action League of Massachusetts today criticized the claims made by Marta Walz, President and CEO of the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts, about public safety conditions in front of Bay State abortion clinics. In a press conference held in the State House this afternoon announcing plans to impose new restrictions on pro-life expression outside of clinics in response to McCullen v. Coakley, Walz claimed that the U. S. Supreme Court had returned women to the world of “screaming protesters” and blocked entrances to clinics.
The media event was also attended by Governor Deval Patrick, Attorney General Martha Coakley, and Megan Amundson of NARAL ProChoice Massachusetts.
The Catholic Action League characterized Walz’s remarks “as part of a disinformation campaign intended to stampede legislators into mandating new limitations on the free speech of pro-life citizens of the Commonwealth.”
Catholic Action League Executive Director C. J. Doyle made the following comment: “Since the end of the buffer zones last Thursday, the sidewalks in front of Massachusetts abortion facilities have been the object of constant police vigilance, extensive media coverage, and a more intensive presence by clinic escorts. The federal FACE Act, prohibiting clinic blockages, remains in force. Curiously, despite Walz’s charges, no arrests have been made, and no credible evidence has been presented to substantiate her claims.”
“Planned Parenthood has a financial interest in suppressing pro-life speech, has a history of demonizing pro-lifers, and has an entirely utilitarian view of the truth. Their method is to make sweeping assertions, and to expect all such assertions to be taken at face value by a compliant media and political class. Perhaps the renewed debate on civil liberty in front of abortion clinics will be the occasion of closer scrutiny of their claims.”
