Chicago officials failed for a second time to pass a noise ordinance which critics say unfairly targets local Christians who minister to women at an abortion facility.
Chicago Democratic Alderman Bill Conway proposed a measure that would add the area surrounding Family Planning Associates, which offers both surgical and medication abortions, to an existing ordinance regulating noise levels near schools, churches, hospitals, and similar locations. The measure nevertheless failed to pass during a Wednesday meeting as Chicago Independent Alderman Nick Sposato and Chicago Democratic Alderman Ray Lopez reportedly used a parliamentary maneuver to delay the vote to a future meeting.
Sposato contended that the measure was a thinly veiled attempt to suppress “freedom of speech” and asked why the abortion facility was “singled out” in the proposal. Christians associated with organizations such as Love Life and Chicago for Jesus frequently minister outside of Family Planning Associates, using noise amplification to reach mothers inside the building or to preach from the Bible on the sidewalk. The proposal contended that the noise “impairs the provision of medical services” and “has permeated walls” at the facility, additionally noting that residents have called the police with complaints on a number of occasions.
The second failed attempt to pass the policy comes after Conway was filmed physically confronting the Christian sidewalk ministers as they asked him to “relax,” as well as informing one believer who was holding a Bible that “this is going to go away too.”
Joe Wyrostek, the founder of Chicago for Jesus and a pastor at Metro Praise International Church, said in comments to The Sentinel that he was “pleased to see Conway’s unconstitutional bill halted by those with more caution and a respect for the First Amendment.”
“The current code in place is all that is needed and sadly Conway’s overstepping of that law shows his disregard for the people of Chicago’s rights,” he added. “Likewise, his false narrative of what happens out there is an indictment against the police force who are sworn to upload the current code. Conway’s vindictive and unhinged behavior is the only evidence on record as of now. We look forward to seeing this bill dropped, and for the police to protect us as sidewalk counselors and uphold the current law to amplify free speech and save the preborn.”
Illinois is one of several states where abortion numbers have increased due to mothers and fathers traveling from nearby states with more restrictive abortion laws so they can more easily murder their babies. Kansas and Colorado have witnessed similar trends in the years since Roe v. Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court.
