Note: Charlotte City Council voted 8-3 in favor of changing the noise ordinance on June 24. It will likely be challenged legally.
CHARLOTTE — Pro-life groups are rallying to oppose new regulations on free speech outside of local abortion clinics.
The Charlotte City Council will vote Monday, June 24, on proposed changes to the city’s noise ordinance that would create 200-foot “quiet zones” around the property line of medical facilities, schools and houses of worship when they are open.
The new ordinance would ban the use of sound amplification equipment and limit any sound deemed “unreasonably loud” or disturbing to “health, peace, or safety” of people at the facility.
Changes to this ordinance have been proposed to address those assembling outside A Preferred Women’s Health on Latrobe Drive.
Pro-life advocates are concerned that these changes would curb free speech, as many pro-life groups regularly pray, witness, counsel and sing outside the abortion clinics – activities that produce noise levels that could be challenged.
Speaking at recent council meetings, Father Peter Ascik of St. Matthew Church pointed out that for abortion clinic supporters, a pro-life presence is disturbing.
Others highlighted the need to protect the freedom of pro-life sidewalk counselors to communicate with women and men in crisis.
“Please don’t consider pro-life groups noise,” said Sally Vest. “Consider us, help.We are the last chance for a mother to do the right and noble thing. We offer support, clothes, diapers, medical help, financial help and even a place to stay during her pregnancy. We offer emotional support after an abortion.”
Andrea Hines challenged the Council to recognize that the noise ordinance unfairly burdens one side of the abortion debate. “It’s the job of the government to keep a fair and balanced approach to controversial issues between its citizens,” she said. “There should be no winners or losers.”
The City Council has tried to crack down on pro-life activists before. In 2017, then-mayor Jennifer Roberts called it a “top priority” to modify the city code to hinder pro-life vigils at Latrobe Drive by creating buffer zones, a new sign or noise ordinance and the elimination of public parking near the clinic.
A further effort by city officials to seize signs used by pro-life demonstrators at the Latrobe abortion mill led one local pro-life group, Cities4Life, to file a complaint in federal court charging the city with discriminatory enforcement of its sign ordinance.
With the upcoming vote on the sound ordinance, the city is set to implement the third pillar of Robert’s plan, pro-life advocates say.
The City Council is pushing ahead with the changes despite the results of a community survey, which indicated that a majority of respondents felt that the current ordinance was sufficient.
Pro-life leaders invite people to join in praying the rosary outside at 5:30 p.m. before the June 24 City Council meeting, 600 E. 4th St., and then staying to attend the meeting. People who want to speak at the public forum before the vote may sign up with the city clerk. Finally, fasting and prayer are requested in support of this and all pro-life efforts in the diocese.
— Charlotte Truth and Life Coalition contributed.