I avoided the news yesterday for my own sanity, but it’s clear there’s already been some misinformation about what happened yesterday going around (I see you, Ted Cruz). So, let’s have a recap:

- Approx. 50 protesters came out to the clinic yesterday morning, despite stay at home orders. They were ordered to leave by CMPD, as there were more than 10 people gathered.
- 11 folks resisted, and were given citations.
- 8 people continued to resist, and were arrested.

More than 10 protesters were still present when citations were given and arrests were made- meaning the order was still be violated at time of CMPD action.

Some additional clarification:
- protesters did not have a permit (they usually do not when demonstrating at the clinic).
- abortion clinics in NC are subject to DHHS oversight and certification as facilities providing medical care; CPCs & “pregnancy care centers” are not.

To be very clear: we have been told several times that “peaceful” assembly for groups less than 10 was & will continue to be allowed.

I’d like to point out that technology allows for limitless virtual assembly. Multiple assemblies of less than 10 can also occur in various places simultaneously- for instance, not in front of a clinic where all patients are currently pregnant & therefore immunocompromised.

I have a lot of very complicated feelings about this, but honestly- we should all be struggling with the heavy personal obligations of maintaining public safety while honoring individual liberties & acknowledging implicit/explicit privileges and bias in the time of pandemic.