A Metro Council committee is kicking off discussion of the "safety zone" ordinance that would allow for buffers outside healthcare facilities: https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=2951628331625684&ref=notif&notif_id=1597253351519575&notif_t=live_video

Background here: https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/metro-government/2020/08/04/louisville-metro-council-consider-buffer-zone-medical-clinics/5581020002/

CM Brandon Coan, a primary sponsor, said the "seriousness of this COVID-19 crisis" prompted him to revisit the draft legislation.

(Supporters of the safety zone say the pandemic means people passing protesters on the way into EMW endure a "potentially deadly virus threat.")

Angela Minter, of Sisters for Life, says the group advocates for "preborn babies."

"When we're talking about how "'Black Lives Matter,'" she says, "I want to point out that abortion is the leading cause of death in the Black community."

I'll leave this: https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2018/mar/02/jason-isaac/jason-isaac-makes-mostly-false-claim-abortion-lead/

Councilman Robin Engel asks Minter the impact a buffer zone would have on her "work" outside the clinic.

Minter: "It would impede our ability to make sure we are able to get information into the young women's hands when they go in."

LMPD's Josh Judah says the agency's role is to "monitor and prevent any physical acts of violence." He says they get complaints from both sides but that in recent history, officers haven't observed violations requiring enforcement.

CW Marilyn Parker: It seems disingenuous that COVID is being used to push this through, given everything going on in the city right now as far as "public safety and protest and disorder that actually is being tolerated."

Councilman David Yates asks if LMPD has ever had to enforce the federal law prohibiting intimidating or interfering with reproductive health services. Judah says LMPD doesn't enforce federal laws.

Yates: Do we work with any agency?
Judah: I'm not aware of any.

Yates: We shouldn't put restrictions on free speech unless it's "absolutely necessary."

He's asking now if the buffer zone would impact panhandlers asking for money outside hospitals. (?)

Coan, a sponsor, responds to Parker: I want to dispell this notion of people conflating this issue with civil unrest and protest. Happening at the same time, but have nothing to do with each other.

Issue discussed today predates unrest by years, and is made urgent by pandemic.

Engel: For months, this council has listened to speakers come in and talk about being verbally abused. Passion was for 'safety ordinance.' All of a sudden, now, it's a healthcare ordinance.

This story has more detail about Engel's comments on this issue: https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/metro-government/2020/01/29/activists-push-buffer-zone-louisville-abortion-clinic/4562905002/

Engel asks LMPD: Do you have documented history of obstruction & interference for access to healthcare facilities throughout Louisville? Maybe we could help try to curtail this.

Judah: That's a very, very broad question that I'm not prepared to answer at this time.

Parker asks the county attorney: Have you weighed in on the constitutionality of this ordinance? If not, why not, and will you?

Natalie Johnson: I've read ordinance, helped Coan. I'm of opinion that legislation could meet constitutional requirements needed.

Yates to Sarah Moyer, the city's public health director: Is this necessary to ensure safety of people coming and going?

Moyer: At least 6 feet between people is important to spreading the stop of COVID.

Yates is offering an amendment that -- I think -- would allow people to enter the 'buffer zone' if the person entering the medical facility consents to let another person walk/engage with them.

CM Bill Hollander: If you are walking in middle of 12-foot buffer zone, people need to be 6 feet away from you if you're in the middle. To go into healthcare facility and not have the right to have people 6 feet away from you? It's just "not appropriate in today's environment."

CW Barbara Sexton Smith is talking about why she "chose not to" introduce legislation on this topic years ago. She says the pandemic "changed everything."

Judah says the agency has a "major issue" with disturbances related to shooting victims being brought into hospitals, particularly downtown. Says he's getting more info on Louisville Metro-wide statistics.

CM Pat Mulvihill is also suggesting an amendment that sounds like it's about extra security outside the EMW clinic being an extra way to "help with this issue"? I'm not clear on what the actual amendment is.

CW Jessica Green: This ordinance is not about if you think abortion is a good idea. It's a right. They have a basic human right to be able to receive treatment without being touched or infected with a fatal disease. It is a safety & public health issue.

CW Cindi Fowler: Ordinance would be setting a "dangerous precedent." Eddie Merlot's would've liked this personal protection, as well, "when they smashed their windows during protests."

Parker: Will this go away when COVID ends?

Coan: No. Just because the pandemic highlights the urgency of the need for it doesn't mean that it goes away when the pandemic does.

Coan: Idea is not to have police assigned to locations. It's to give healthcare facilities the option to apply for signs/markings for a buffer zone. And then, if people violate the ordinance by obstructing the zone, facilities can call the police for help to enforce the law.