Protests force abortion clinic to move
BY CHARITA M. GOSHAY, CANTON REPOSITORY The decision to relocate a women's health clinic that offers abortion services from Green to Akron is being seen as a victory by anti-abortion activists, but others see it as an interference of access to medical care.
When G&H Healthcare opened its offices at 1575 Corporate Woods Pkwy. this summer, it was greeted by daily anti-abortion pickets.
"The landlord (in Green) had become upset by protesters and, also, the clinic didn't feel like it was the best environment for their patients," said Kellie Copeland, spokeswoman for NARAL (National Association for Repeal of Abortion Laws) Pro-Choice Ohio, who was authorized to speak for the clinic.
"Given what the situation had become there, they decided to leave; they were not evicted. They came to a joint agreement, and they found a more suitable location."
Protesters attended council meetings to demand that Mayor Dick Norton do something to close it. Norton published a letter, explaining that because the clinic was in legal compliance, he had no legal basis to take action against it. Norton declined to offer further comment in response to the clinic's move.
Copeland said the Akron site will open next month, though she declined to say where. G&H Healthcare, formerly known as the Ohio Women's Center, also operates clinics in Columbus, Toledo and Youngstown. It is not affiliated with NARAL or Planned Parenthood.
ACCESS ISSUE
"I think it's unfortunate that a handful of extremist people are able to interrupt the health care services that G&H was providing," Copeland said. "I'm happy to report the clinic will be reopening and providing service needed in this community and will make access to the service much easier for women in Summit County and the surrounding area."
Gregory D. Frank, executive director of Right to Life of Summit County, said abortion is more than a matter of morality; it also is a civil-rights issue.
"We feel it's important (to note) that there is a group of Americans not represented in America, unborn Americans, much in the same way the Dred Scott case in 1857 declared that African-Americans had no voice," he said. "We feel that's what Roe vs. Wade has done. We're saddened that any clinic like G&H exists in our community to deny the basic rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."
COMMUNITY CHALLENGE
Cecilia Ceremuga of North Canton was among the concerned citizens who attended the council meeting in July.
"I'm very happy they're not in our neighborhood, now," she said. "Life is a gift from God. Because abortion hurts women, there are other options to consider such as adoption, counseling and pregnancy support centers."
Copeland noted reproductive health care services often are accused of targeting certain groups if they have presence in an urban setting. The majority women who undergo abortions are young, poor and single. Black women outpace whites and Hispanics.
"What they don't seem to understand is women from all walks of life — all ages, all situations — need and deserve these services," she said. "They're legal, and they're safe, and they're needed. No stranger should be allowed to get in the way of that."
"We feel notice has been served; they are not wanted within the Stark and Summit communities," Frank said.
Frank, who urged people to pray for the end of abortion, likened the issue to slavery.
"It's a community challenge, much the same way that people in the old days would say, 'I'm not for or against slavery; it's the owner's prerogative,' " he said. "It's kind of a cop-out that Americans take these days, saying that, 'I don't feel comfortable telling women what to do with their bodies,' so the child becomes property in the same unjust way."
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