Protesters outside Planned Parenthood make multiple police reports of harassment
Bellingham police have responded to five reports of protesters being harassed outside Planned Parenthood in the past three weeks.
Though there were no reports of injuries and no suspects have been identified or arrested, the incidents included indecent exposure and items thrown at them, police say.
At least some of the protesters are believed to be part of the internationally coordinated 40 Days For Life anti-abortion campaign, according to information provided by Lt. Claudia Murphy in an email to The Bellingham Herald.
According to the campaign’s website, it “aims to end abortion locally through prayer and fasting, community outreach and peaceful all-day vigil in front of abortion businesses,” from Feb. 26 through April 5.
Murphy reported Bellingham police have responded to the area near Planned Parenthood Bellingham Health Center on Ellis Street for the following incidents:
▪ At 8:18 p.m. Feb. 24 a protest organizer reported a man dressed in all black with a scarf covering the bottom part of his face was taking pictures of the group and threatened to bring more people back. Not enough evidence for harassment charges was found, and Murphy added that taking photos is not illegal.
▪ At 9:10 p.m. Feb. 27 a white man in his 20s with long, curly, brown hair reportedly exposed himself to a group of protesters, including a minor. One of the victims told police that a black Nissan 240SX pulled up next to the group of protesters and a passenger in the vehicle exposed himself. No suspects have been identified.
▪ At 12:43 p.m. March 3 a person holding a protest sign reported that a passenger in a passing car threw ice out the window at him. There were no injuries reported.
▪ At 1:51 p.m. March 7 a protester called because a man on a bike with blond hair and wearing black tights rode by and threw a small glass vial or bottle toward the group that broke on impact. No one was hit by the glass or its content. Police and fire crews responded to check the liquid contents of the glass, but none remained. The fire department washed the sidewalk with water, the protest continued and police found nobody matching the description.
▪ At 6:39 a.m. March 12 a protester called after a protester walking past them kicked the protester’s legs out of the way. No injuries were reported, and police were unable to locate the suspect, who was described as a woman in her 20s carrying a longboard.
