In A Win For Abortion Providers, Anti-Choice Harassers To Pay $850,000 In Legal Fees
For Immediate Release: Feb. 2, 2023
Total fines to be paid by The Church of Planned Parenthood will account to almost $1,000,000
MEDIA CONTACT: Jennifer Martinez, Legal Voice, [email protected], 208.320.0596
SPOKANE, WA — In December, the Spokane Superior Court sided with Spokane Planned Parenthood, represented by Legal Voice, fining The Church at Planned Parenthood over $100,000. After the settlement, the parties entered into negotiations to settle all remaining claims and the attorneys' fees. Today, it has been determined TCAPP will need to pay $850,000 to account for those fees.
For over two years, anti-abortion extremists had held rallies directly outside of the Spokane Planned Parenthood Health Care Center. Calling themselves “The Church at Planned Parenthood” (TCAPP), these extremists used amplified speakers to loudly denounce Planned Parenthood and interrupt the provision of the health care services they provide. In addition, TCAPP members blocked access to the clinic, intimidated patients, and often carried concealed weapons. These 'services' attracted a variety of local and national hate group representatives, including the founder of Patriot Prayer, a hate group associated with the Proud Boys.
After the judge awarded us damages in December, the parties entered into negotiations to settle all remaining claims and the attorneys' fees we accrued in holding TCAPP accountable for their illegal behavior. As a result of those negotiations, TCAPP will have to pay the plaintiffs $850,000.
“This is a critical victory for Planned Parenthood at a time of historical attacks on abortion access,” said Paul Dillon, Vice President of Public Affairs, PPGWNI. “We are so thankful for the work of Legal Voice as well as the overwhelming support of the community. We are proud to provide a safe, welcoming environment for our employees and our patients, so they can get the high quality health care they need. No one should ever face the threat of harassment and intimidation because they are seeking or providing health care. Our doors are open today, and they will stay open to provide the compassionate care that our patients need and deserve in Spokane and across the region.”
“We hope our victory in this case serves as fair warning to extremists who seek to disrupt access to health care. Such interference has a price,” said Wendy Heipt, Senior Reproductive Rights Counsel for Legal Voice. “We will continue to fight to ensure that everyone has access to health care without intimidation or interference and that anyone getting in the way of that access faces the appropriate legal consequences.”
This decision puts anti-choice extremists on notice: Legal Voice and our allies will hold them accountable. We will vigorously pursue every dollar owed to our clients to ensure anti-choice harassers actually pay for their illegal actions. We will make sure their actions are seen for what they are: crimes.
We will also continue our work to ensure that the communities we serve are able to access the reproductive health care that they deserve and that this access comes without intimidation or shame.
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Legal Voice is a progressive feminist organization using the power of the law to make positive change for women, girls, and LGBTQ people in the Northwest. Legal Voice uses ground-breaking litigation, legislative advocacy, and community education to fight gender oppression and injustice. More at legalvoice.org.
Planned Parenthood of Greater Washington and North Idaho (PPGWNI) is a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization and the leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable reproductive health care in the region. With 11 health centers throughout Central and Eastern Washington, PPGWNI serves over 32,000 patients with exceptional health care, honest education, and fearless advocacy since 1967.