The suit also claims the Spokane police department is not taking necessary action when the group violates the city’s noise ordinances.
What’s Next for the Church at Planned Parenthood?
The court battle with Planned Parenthood isn’t the first time the church has had to fight against attempts to disrupt their meetings. In March of this year, the city council of Spokane attempted to block the services due to noise violations.
Then as now, Peters is determined to push back against the accusation that the group is interfering with the clinic’s work in an illegal way. “We have never once blocked a driveway and we are very careful to leave room on the sidewalk. We bend over backwards to not prohibit physically anything in the flesh to keep people from going to that murder place where they literally make money per human death,” Peters argues.
Peters says he’s not so concerned about being “pushed across the street” because the church “can worship God just as good there and we’re not going anywhere.” He also emphasizes he doesn’t see any way the city or any other authority can keep the church from worshipping God, singing, and praying on public property.
In response to the judge’s decision on Monday, The Church at Planned Parenthood is shifting their tactics by changing their service times. Since patients typically leave the clinic by 7pm, they have pushed service times back to 7pm, but encourage those willing to come pray starting at 6pm.
Peters emphasized the judge’s order is temporary and that the church is determined to keep fighting for their rights to assemble–even if that fight takes them all the way to the Supreme Court.
