Anti-abortion demonstrators met counter-protestors from the organization NYC For Abortion Rights during their march from St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral to a Bleecker Street Planned Parenthood clinic on Saturday, Feb. 4. Recent legislation that legalizes the purchase of abortion-inducing pills from pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS fueled Witness for Life, the organization behind this protest.

One of the many catholic protestors, praying the rosary | Photo by Julia Jensen

“The purpose is simply to pray for the mothers and fathers who are seeking an abortion today,” stated Father Fidelis, a leading figure in the local anti-abortion movement. “Even if we’re not able to save those children from abortion, we can show our love for them by . . . trying to remain in solidarity with them in their last moments.”

The pro-abortion rights activists, or “clinic defenders,” hoisted signs and attempted to block the protestors from making their way to the clinic. Linked arm-in-arm and loudly warning people not to touch them, there was no way to proceed along the two-block route. Police sounded pre-recorded alarms that warned the group to disperse or face charges of disorderly conduct.

Witness for Life had obtained a permit to protest in preparation for conflicts, which would allow the police to lawfully clear the way. Even with countless warnings, the pro-abortion rights activists did not move and were instead eventually maneuvered around.

While there were no arrests, several situations did escalate. Both sides engaged in yelling matches, with police having to intervene multiple times. One protestor had a drink thrown on them and was then chased down the street. Mainly, several figures on each side caused the majority of the commotion.

The Witness for Life protestors and NYC For Abortion Rights members did not mix well, with slurs erupting throughout the morning. Accusations of fascism and homophobia were repeatedly directed toward the anti-abortion protestors, with one woman shouting “how can Nazism be tolerated in America?”

A Witness for Life sidewalk advocate offered various resources to women outside of the Planned Parenthood clinic during the protest while a pro-abortion rights activist stood directly next to her, holding a sign that read “not with clinic.” Additionally, Planned Parenthood employees attempted to direct incoming patients away from the commotion. The chaotic swooping-in of activists and workers, each group with their own agenda, seemed to confuse those on their way in and out of the clinic.

NYC For Abortion Rights explains on its website that they are “an intersectional, abolitionist, socialist-feminist collective of activists who believe NYC needs an unapologetic grassroots movement to fight for full abortion and reproductive justice.” They are determined to disrupt and discourage the monthly marches that Witness for Life leads. The pro-abortion group tweeted after the protest, saying, “We delayed them for 1 hour, and blocked them with umbrellas outside the clinic so folks could access healthcare without seeing weirdos.”

An anti-catholic sign displayed by NYC For Abortion Rights | Photo by Julia Jensen

No member from NYC For Abortion Rights wished to be interviewed. Many wore full or partially-covering face masks and asked to remain anonymous for the duration of the protest. Members of the media were met with silence and subsequently photographed.

The conflict between Witness for Life and NYC for Abortion Rights is nothing new, with members of both parties being arrested within the past few months.

In August, at least five pro-abortion rights protestors were arrested due to violence aimed at anti-abortion mass-goers attempting to enter St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral. Father Fidelis was also arrested that month for trespassing at All Women’s Medical Center, for which he served three months in prison.

Bernadette Patel (left) offers pregnancy resources while a NYC For Abortion Right member (right) holds a sign | Photo by Julia Jensen

A Witness for Life sidewalk advocate, Bernadette Patel, recalled how the levels of violence had grown quickly over the past year. She states that after months of increasing opposition, “the police just stopped letting us process. . . December I led a tiny procession out and it got freaking violent, man.” According to Patel, even the ArchDiocese called for a suspension of the monthly marches after the August escalations.

Public displays in favor or against abortion are bound to create conflict. This is especially true in a post-Roe America, where policy-shaping has become increasingly localized.

In New York City, Mayor Eric Adams announced a new $1.2 million spending package that includes providing free abortion pills at city-run clinics.

"We have been standing on the sidelines of women's health for too long. We are going to build a city for all women,” said Adams.

Those seeking an abortion pill will be able to obtain the medication without needing to provide insurance or proof of citizenship. All that is required is prior consultation with a doctor.

Although the NYPD has been taking further steps to end violent interactions between the two sides of the issue, both groups are quick to identify police involvement as either inadequate or excessive.

Witness for Life began meeting with police before marches due to previous protesting conditions that “did not feel safe.” Conversely, NYC For Abortion Rights member Emily Janakiram labeled the NYPD involved as “uniformed police officers who are all-too-thrilled to defend their fashy [fascist] friends.”

Marches are still scheduled on a monthly basis by Witness for Life in four of the five city boroughs. Likewise, NYC For Abortion Rights plans on counter-protesting each demonstration.

Julia Jensen is a sophomore studying Politics, Philosophy, and Economics. She is also the President of TKC Students for Life.

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