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Sidewalk counseling, also known assidewalk interference,[1] is a form ofanti-abortion activism conducted outsideabortion clinics. Activists seek to communicate with those entering the building, or with passersby in general, in an effort to persuade them not to have anabortion, or to consider their position on themorality of abortion.[2] Common tactics include engaging in conversation, displaying signs, distributingliterature, or giving directions to nearbycrisis pregnancy centers.[2]
Some anti-abortion organizations offer programs designed to train people in sidewalk counseling. TheAmerican Life League publishes "The Sidewalk Counselor's Guidebook" on its website.[3]
The"Chicago Method" is an approach to sidewalk counseling that involves giving those about to enter an abortion facility copies oflawsuits filed against the facility or itsphysicians. The name comes from the fact that it was first used byPro-Life Action League inChicago.[4] Brochures summarizing the lawsuits, scandals, or negative findings of inspection reports can also be used. The intent of the Chicago Method is to dissuade women from obtaining abortion services at the facility.[5]
Several jurisdictions in theUnited States have "buffer zone" laws which limit how close to a clinic protesters can approach.[6] In the 1997court case,Schenck v. Pro-Choice Network of Western New York, anti-abortion activistPaul Schenck challenged aU.S. district courtinjunction which restricted demonstrations to within 15-feet of four abortion clinics inNew York state. The case came before theSupreme Court, where Justices ruled 8–1 to uphold the constitutionality of a "fixed buffer zone" (the area around the clinic itself), but not that of a "floating buffer zone" (the area around objects in transit such as cars or people).[7]
In 1995, theAccess to Abortion Services Act was passed inBritish Columbia,Canada. It defines "sidewalk interference" as any attempt at "advising or persuading, or attempting to advise or persuade, a person to refrain from making use of abortion services," or "informing or attempting to inform a person concerning issues related to abortion services." It prevents such activities from being carried out within up to 50 metres of an abortion-providing facility.[1] TheSafe Access to Abortion Services Act, 2017 inOntario also prohibits "Advising a person to refrain from accessing abortion services" within a defined buffer zone of up to 150 metres.[8]
Anti-abortion advocates in the U.S. say that sidewalk counseling is a form offree speech protected by theFirst Amendment of theUnited States Constitution.[9]
