Walking down the sidewalk on Saturday morning there was a sea of anti-abortion protesters and only two other escorts in front of the clinic. It was early. There was a car parked at the meters with a client and companion and I stopped to talk to them. I explained when the clinic opened, escorts wore the orange vests and we would come get them when the doors opened if they wanted us to escort them.

One of them said, “We found out about the protesters. One was at our window earlier.” Then they asked me to remove the card from their window placed there by the anti. As soon as I removed the card, D rushed up to me and said, “I will take that. You aren’t authorized to remove that.” She snatched the card out of my hand. I said to D, “They asked me to remove it.” Before I could move away from the car, D had already inserted the card back into their window.

What I keep asking myself is why D would choose such a strange word as “authorize.” Was she “authorized” to place it in the window? If so, who gave her the authorization? The occupants of the car didn’t want it placed there, so they didn’t give their permission. She “authorized” herself.

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REMINDER: If you are interested in escorting, particularly if you’re willing to hold space on the Saturday before Mother’s Day, don’t forget the training on May 9th at 6:00.  Training is not required, but it’s helpful.

REMINDER: Our annual  fund drive Pledge-A-Picketer is NOW!
The Sunday before Mother’s Day is the biggest protester day of the year.  It also is the date  where we count protesters for donations to support the pro-choice effort and the escorts.  You can pledge a certain amount for each protester showing up that morning. If you prefer, you can also make a straight monetary donation.

Use this form to make your pledge: