Harassers At Manhattan Planned Parenthood Face Suit From NY AG

LOWER MANHATTAN, NY — Attorney General Letitia James announced a lawsuit Tuesday against two anti-choice protesters who have repeatedly attempted to stop patients, escorts, and staff from entering a Planned Parenthood location in Lower Manhattan.

James is charging Bevelyn Beatty and Edmee Chavannes with blocking access to the Planned Parenthood at 26 Bleecker Street and threatening the people entering with violence.

“For almost 50 years, Roe v. Wade has made clear the right of women to control their own bodies,” said Attorney General James, in a news release. “Despite the clear protections under the law, these individuals used violent and illegal tactics to harass, threaten, and block women from entering Planned Parenthood. Let me be very clear: no person, no business, and no government body has the right to deny or limit a woman’s access to an abortion, and I will continue to do everything within my legal power to support the reproductive rights of women.”

The lawsuit outlines a pattern of behavior by Beatty and Chavannes that includes unwanted physical contact, verbal abuse, and threats of harm.

The duo also hasn't slowed their activity due to the pandemic.

Beatty and Chavannes "weaponized the threat of the virus" to intimidate patients further and didn't comply with local and state social distancing and mask mandates.

The lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York seeks an immediate halt of the two defendants' behavior.

Specifically, it would prohibit Beatty and Chavannes from protesting within an 18 by 30-foot area of the Lower Manhattan Planned Parenthood.

"The vitriol of hate outside our Manhattan Health Center is a clear and present threat to reproductive rights," said Joy D. Calloway, the interim CEO of Planned Parenthood of Greater New York. "This lawsuit sends a loud and clear message: Planned Parenthood patients deserve to access sexual and reproductive health care free of fear and intimidation."