SPOKANE, Wash. — A Spokane judge granted Planned Parenthood a permanent injunction against “The Church at Planned Parenthood,” according to a tweet from the organization’s spokesperson.
Planned Parenthood Spokesperson Paul Dillon tweeted Wednesday night saying, “Because we could all use some good news: We just got word that our motion for summary judgement was granted and the injunction against "The Church At Planned Parenthood" is permanent!”
Dillion released the following statement Thursday morning:
While Planned Parenthood respects the right to protest and peaceful assembly, the First Amendment does not protect conduct that is intended to interfere with patient care. The negative health effects of excessive noise on patients in health care settings are well-documented. These hazards include an increased risk of hypertension, increased pain, and a variety of psychiatric symptoms — all of which are likely to be even more pronounced for patients seeking care from a reproductive health clinic. TCAPP has repeatedly violated the Washington state law (RCW 9A.50.020) that prohibits “willfully or recklessly disrupt[ing] the normal functioning of a health care facility” by, among other things, “making noise that unreasonably disturbs the peace within the facility.”
Our commitment today, and always, is to the health and safety of our patients and staff. This is a critical victory for Planned Parenthood at a time of historical attacks on abortion access and we are so thankful for the overwhelming support of the community that stands with Planned Parenthood. We are proud to provide a safe, welcoming environment for our employees and our patients, so they can get the high quality health care they need. No one should ever face the threat of harassment and intimidation because they are seeking or providing health care. Our doors are open today, and they will stay open to provide the compassionate care that our patients need and deserve in Spokane and across the region.
Planned Parenthood filed a motion back in July asking to make the injunction permanent to stop the group from interfering with patients’ access to healthcare.
In September 2020, a judge ruled in favor of Planned Parenthood by granting a preliminary injunction against the anti-abortion group. Dillon said since the injunction, staff, patients and neighbors have witnessed violations of the order.
Planned Parenthood claims The Church at Planned Parenthood’s loud demonstrations outside facilities are interfering with patient care and violate state and local laws against excessive noise outside healthcare facilities.
The Church at Planned Parenthood describes itself as a "gathering of Christians for the worship of God and corporate prayer for repentance for this nation, repentance for the apathetic church, and repentance for our blood guiltiness in this abortion holocaust," according to its website.
Planned Parenthood claims the demonstrations aren't protected under the first amendment, because they're intended to interfere with patients' ability to seek care at the facility. Planned Parenthood cited the negative health impacts of excessive noise on patients, including increased risk of hypertension, increased pain, and a variety of psychiatric symptoms - "all of which are likely to be even more pronounced for patients seeking care from a reproductive health clinic," the statement reads.
Planned Parenthood claims The Church at Planned Parenthood is violating Washington State Law RCW 9A.50.020 which reads, "It is unlawful for a person except as otherwise protected by state or federal law, alone or in concert with others, to willfully or recklessly interfere with access to or from a health care facility or willfully or recklessly disrupt the normal functioning of such facility."