Louisville Metro Council committee addresses healthcare facility Buffer Zone

Updated May 7, 2021

BUFFER ZONE VOTE RESCHEDULED

A procedural vote on the Buffer Zone took place at the May 6 Council meeting. The vote set this issue aside; it will return to the full council on May 20. Keep those cards and calls coming! Let the Council members hear from you.

A Facebook video of the meeting with the pro-life arguments by Atty. Annie MacLean and Chelsea Pritchett is here. Move the play button to 7:20.

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ORIGINAL POST:

Arguments were presented on April 28 for and against a 10-foot Buffer Zone to mark how close sidewalk counselors may stand to any Metro Louisville healthcare facility. The Community Affairs, Housing, Health and Education Committee voted 5 - 2 to send the Buffer Zone ordinance to the full Council for a vote.

Last August the Buffer Zone was voted down by the Metro Council. We trust that the new Council members will study the discussions in their minutes to carefully consider what is at stake.

Executive Director Addia Wuchner participated in the committee meeting, and has made an official statement:

We advocate for the protection of the unborn child and the First Amendment right of citizens to peacefully gather, pray, support women, and respectfully bear witness in defense of innocent life. While the Courts have recognized that states and cities have significant interest in maintaining public safety and preserving access to health care facilities, they have nevertheless ruled it is unconstitutional to take control of a public sidewalk for the sole, discretionary use of a private business like the EMW abortion facility, as it impedes the right to free speech. Those proposing the ordinance and abortion advocates say that it is a matter of public safety, but make no mistake, this is a direct attempt to silence pro-women, pro-child, pro-life advocates and the public’s right of free speech.

In a Courier-Journal article last summer, Council member Marilyn Parker noted, “I just don’t think this is a very good look for the council, with the protests, the destruction and the disorder that’s been allowed to happen in the city. We need to think about this. Why does this group get special privileges for safety?”

A video of the committee meeting is shown here. The Metro Council will vote on the Ordinance on May 6. You can read the Ordinance here. Contact a Council Member here.