It was a Swedish TV crew who contacted us at everysaturdaymorning about filming some of what happens on the sidewalk.  They were making a documentary about abortion and this interesting phenomena ~ protesters at the clinic.

Filming is disruptive.  It upsets clients and makes them anxious, fearful sometimes.  It increases the chaos on the sidewalk.

The anti’s like it ~ unless, as one of them said to R ~ unless it’s “Big Brother” trying to control their lives!  But if they think it’s someone sympathetic to their cause, they’re pleased, and will even play to the camera a bit.

Some escorts have concerns about how their family or their employer would react if they knew they were escorting at the clinic.  We have had at least one escort lose a job because of their volunteer efforts.  So we’re not thrilled with cameras on the sidewalk.

On the other hand, we don’t mind getting the word out about the harassment taking place at Second and Market every week.  I’ve discovered that most people don’t know about the protesters, the preachers and the chasers, and most people, regardless of how they feel about abortion, are appalled to hear and see what goes on there.

The idea of a Swedish news crew wanting to document it is a little mind-boggling though.  Good grief, they’ve heard about us ~ our clinic ~ in little ole Louisville Ky ~ in Sweden?

Wow.

Then I remember that our situation is considered one of the worst in the nation ~ possibly the worst.  I’m not making that up ~ the ACLU said so right here.

Conditions are ideal for harassing clients ~ the clinic’s location ~ without a private parking lot attached to the building ~ and the lack of laws that would require some space between clients and protesters.  Plus, of course, we have an impressive list of characters dedicated to harassing and haranguing women on their way to the doctor.

In any case, I understand that Lisa, the reporter, was “… in a state of shock for a lot of the time. She just couldn’t believe what she was seeing.”  This is not unusual for newcomers to the sidewalk outside the clinic.

But Lisa watched, and filmed, and interviewed, and now ~ the moment we’ve all been waiting for ~ we have this snippet of film to enjoy.

http://www.svtplay.se/klipp/242793/kristna-kampar-for-abort-i-usa

{I wanted to embed it in the post, but if there was a “share” button, I didn’t recognize it as that.  You’ll see what I mean if you cut and paste the link to your browser window.}

It would be nice if I had any clue what the narrator’s saying, but I don’t speak a word of Swedish.  The protester they interview is A, and as you can see, he’s all about “love.”  He is so enthusiastic and sincere, and I wish he understood that I would prefer respect and letting people have some space on the sidewalk.

But it’s interesting listening to the two women she interviews, both apparently about the same age, both religious, both deeply convinced that her own perspective is right ~ and both in complete disagreement with the other.

It makes me think of this quote:

“We have two alternatives: either we question our beliefs – or we don’t. Either we accept our fixed versions of reality- or we begin to challenge them. In Buddha’s opinion, to train in staying open and curious – to train in dissolving our assumptions and beliefs – is the best use of our human lives.”
~~ Pema Chödrön

I believe that, and it’s a huge challenge to figure out what it means in real life.  It’s so much easier to see how other people should question their assumptions and beliefs.  And for sure they’d be able to tell you how I should change mine!

When I watch the film, I’m struck by the gap between the pro-access and the anti-abortion groups.  And frustrated.  I wish they could believe what they want and leave other people alone.   Instead, their beliefs drive them to try to force us to change our beliefs, and our actions.  I don’t know what to do with the idea of a belief that says “everyone one else has to agree with me and do what I say.”

It makes me weary, trying to push back against that pressure without getting so angry I lose perspective.  Without demonizing them.  It would be easier to hate them, but then I lose.

When the one woman in the film ~ I guess she’s with Right to Life or something ~ when she talks about how few people sign pro-abortion letters in the newspaper while thousands of people sign their anti-choice letters ~ it makes me weary.  Some of those people signing their letter have had abortions.   Some of them will have abortions.

When they do, and they run into that line of preachers, prayers, and chasers, we’ll be there to stand with them.   And they’ll be glad we’re there.

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