An Open Letter to Pittsburgh City Council

An Open Letter to Pittsburgh City Council

By Joseph Parente, Rescue Pittsburgh

Tuesday’s presentation of legislation intended to regulate activities on the public sidewalks outside of health care facilities is very troubling.

It would seem that certain members of Council have placed the outlandish desires of a handful of controversial corporations above the constitutionally protected freedoms of its constituents and visitors. While sponsors and proponents of the measure would prefer to speak in generalities, it is very much about the business of abortion.

The legislation purports to help “avoid violent confrontations”, but where is the pattern of violence that would warrant this action? There is none. Perhaps more telling is the phrase “reduce the risk of violence”, it is a preemptive strike against an imaginary foe. The rhetoric is tiresome and the facts are few, this is nothing more than a desperate reaction to the effectiveness of legitimate peaceful protest.

We agree that the time and resources of the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police are being wasted by incessant calls from abortion providers who would seek to use our public servants as glorified babysitters. These businesses have shown a sad disinterest and even a blatant disregard for the existing ordinances of this city, and now they would like to further entangle our officers with an extralegal agenda.

Furthermore, the legislation attempts to soothe constitutional concerns by stating that “…the First Amendment right(s) of demonstrators to communicate their message to their intended audience is not impaired.” Unfortunately, impairment is the only reasonable outcome of this measure. It would seek to demonize and to penalize those who put their own deeply held religious convictions into practice, seriously abridging the freedom of speech and the right of the people to peaceably assemble.

It is in the best interest of the City of Pittsburgh, that its Council should refuse to be involved with this extreme legislation. We urge you to reject the addition of the proposed “Public Safety at Health Care Facilities” chapter to The Pittsburgh Code of Ordinances, avoiding the disenfranchisement of your faithful constituents and a costly legal battle.