CHARLOTTE — Challenges to assemble and pray near Charlotte-area abortion clinics keep mounting as the city is set to review stronger noise rules outside medical facilities.
Charlotte City Council will soon hear and decide on changes to its noise ordinance, which would limit amplified noise within 200 feet from the property line of schools, houses of worship and medical facilities when they are open.
The Neighborhood Development Committee is recommending these changes, and council members acknowledged in an April 17 committee meeting that these proposed changes are targeted toward those assembling near abortion facilities. A Preferred Women’s Health on Latrobe Drive, Charlotte’s busiest abortion mill, performs several thousand abortions each year, and city officials have noted the amount of resources spent policing those gathered and praying outside the facility.
The proposed changes to the noise ordinance, which should be open for community discussion at the June 3 City Council Strategy Session, would require the designated places to put up signs explaining they are quiet zones. These changes would not restrict the distribution of literature or other quiet activities.
Pro-life advocates are concerned that these changes would limit free speech, as many pro-life groups pray, witness, counsel and sing outside the abortion clinics.
St. Michael Church in Gastonia parishioner and LifeChain of Gaston County member Linda Mooney attended the April 17 city meeting along with others involved in the pro-life cause.
“These changes tread on our First Amendment right to free speech,” Mooney said. “Our country was founded on differences of opinion and being able to express those freely.”
Mooney spends many Saturdays outside the Latrobe Drive abortion facility praying for life.
“I’ve been involved in pro-life activities for a long time out of love for life, the women and the babies,” she said. “I do believe that women deserve better than this.”
Recently, “on street” parking was limited near another of Charlotte’s three abortion facilities, Family Reproductive Health. This South End facility, located off South Boulevard, performs 1,500 to 2,000 abortions a year. This move is also said to target pro-life advocates assembling to pray near the facility.
The noise ordinance changes are not clearly outlined, Mooney said. Instead of using a decibel level to determine sound levels, the ordinance would limit amplified and “unreasonably loud” noise.
“It’s not measured or well-defined,” Mooney said. “It’s not that the volume would need to reach a certain decibel. Someone would just need to say it’s bothering them.”
The buffer rules would extend to parades, bars and restaurants within 200 feet of schools, houses of worship or medical facilities. St. Peter Church in Charlotte on Tryon Street overlooks a popular parade route in the city of Charlotte.
There are also proposed changes that deal with construction noise. Fines would be $100 for the first offense, $500 for the second offense, and $1,000 for additional violations.
Depending on the outcome of the June 3 discussion, the council vote on this issue could happen June 24.
— Kimberly Bender, Online reporter
Want to get involved?
At www.prolifecharlotte.org: Learn more about pro-life activities. To learn how to have your voice heard on this issue, contact Linda Mooney, 704-589-3930 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..