I decided to post this on the pro-choice
forum instead of the abortion debate forum
because I am really interested in hearing
any stories you may have.
I had an abortion last October. I knew
the minute I saw the second line on the
pregnancy test, that I wouldn't be
continuing my pregnancy. I have never
wanted children, and made an appointment
the next day. I had to wait a week, as
the clinic told me I wasn't far enough
along yet. (I had taken a test before I
missed my period because I knew something
was different) I was barely 5 weeks when
I had the procedure done.
The abortion itself went well. I went to
a clinic that doesn't have any counseling
(by my choice) and was done and out in
less then 3 hours. I felt like a huge
weight had been lifted off my shoulders,
and wanted nothing more then to get some
breakfast. I was starving!
When my boyfriend and I were leaving the
clinic, a woman in a long black dress (and
cute matching bonnet
) approached us and held up a large paper
bag. She then pulled out a baby blanket
and tried to give it to us, saying "this
is for your baby". Keep in mind the
abortion was over and done with. I said
"no thank-you" and we went on our way. I
had chosen a clinic in Atlantic City, and
the parking there is hard to find (as you
can imagine). The clinic was literally
right next to Caesar's Palace. Sorry, I'm
going off topic here.
We were parked in a parking lot about 50
yards away. This woman continued to
follow us, and when we ignored her, she
began throwing the baby blankets at us!
My boyfriend asked her to stop and this
made her angry. She started yelling "YOU
KILL BABIES" at us. We were on a VERY
busy sidewalk with many other people and
tourists who stopped and stared at what
was happening. I turned around and (not
wanting to use any foul language) called
her a weirdo and asked her to please go
away, that the abortion was already over.
I was scared I would upset her if I was
too mean.
We decided to pick up the pace and began
running. For those of you who have had an
abortion, you know that running 10 minutes
after the procedure, isn't the easiest
thing to do. My boyfriend was literally
pulling me along. This woman actually
chased us! Screaming at us the whole way.
Announcing to everyone on the street that
we were murderers and had just killed our
baby. I am pro-choice, and proud of it,
but this woman had NO right doing that to
us in front of all those people. What I
did that morning was NOT her business nor
the business of the people on the street.
When we got to the car, I tried my best to
quickly unlock the doors. I wasn't quick
enough, and the woman grabbed the hood of
my sweatshirt to try to stop me from
leaving. Did she want me to go put it
back in??
We managed to get in the car after my
boyfriend (nicely) pulled her off of me.
Then this woman had the nerve to stand
behind my car and not let us leave. We
were terrified! My boyfriend kept saying
"duck down, she could have a gun!" We
called the police, and let her know
through the window that the cops were on
their way. She walked away, and we left
before the cops even got there. I didn't
want to wait. I kinda wish I had, as
there were MANY other women and girls
still in the clinic.
Sorry this is so long, but it has bothered
me ever since. I feel no regret for
having the abortion, but that woman scared
me to death! SHE is what bothers me most
about the whole situation. I always knew
I was pro-choice, but never really visited
message boards until after my experience.
That woman made me feel even stronger
about the abortion debate. She is the
reason I joined this board. So I guess
her little hissy fit backfired.
So here is my question. How many of you
have had an experience (good or bad) with
a protester? Is what this woman did
considered violence?
I should mention that I have nothing
against protesting or freedom of speech.
If she had tried to speak to us, kindly,
when we were entering the clinic, it
wouldn't have bothered me in the least. I
had prepared myself for that possibility.
But this woman just went overboard.
Thanks for taking the time to read my
story. It feels good to get it out.
