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Free Speech Claims Enter Abortion Protests At Charlotte Clinic

Nick de la Canal

Thursday, April 13, 2017

An east Charlotte clinic sits in the intersection of a woman's right to choose and protesters' right to free speech. Mike Collins is joined by two WFAE reporters who talked with both sides of the protest, and we get First Amendment analysis from constitutional experts.

The long-running debate over abortion is expected to intensify during the Trump administration as both sides foresee changes on the Supreme Court, beginning with the confirmation of Neil Gorsuch.

That debate over a woman’s right to choose plays out on a regular basis at an east Charlotte women’s reproductive health clinic, A Preferred Women’s Health Center. The facility has seen its share of protests by anti-abortion rights groups, but the clinic says the demonstrations have become larger – and hostile.

Credit Sarah Delia

City hall recently entered the fray. Charlotte's Department of Transportation is evaluating whether to place no-parking signs near the clinic, which anti-abortion rights groups see as an attempt to stifle them.

WFAE reporters Sarah Delia and Nick de la Canal recently spent time talking with both sides - the clinic and the protesters. They join Mike Collins, along with First Amendment experts, one of whom argued the issue in front of the U.S. Supreme Court.

GUESTS

Sarah Delia and Nick de la Canal, WFAE reporters (@SarahWFAE, @nickdelacanal)

Martha F. Davis, professor of law, Northeastern University School of Law

Eugene Volokh, professor of law, UCLA School of Law (@VolokhC)

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