Re: Protests at the Morgentaler Clinic

Dear neighbours (also known as the Mother and Child Welcome House/Women's Care Centre),

I would really like it a lot if you could be better neighbours.

I know you don't agree with what we do. That's okay, because we don't agree with what you do, either.

When you march in front of our clinic every week with your silly signs, could you please do it on a day when we don't have patients?

I understand you're trying to make a point, but you come across as bullies trying to frighten and intimidate people.

I'm sure you don't mean to come across that way, but you do and it's bad for your image.

There are other days in the week when you could pace back and forth in front of our clinic if you like.

People would still see you and your signs and I'll be here; but you don't frighten and intimidate me, so maybe it wouldn't be so much fun for you.

Could you also stop glaring in our windows? It's rude and it makes people uncomfortable. It's kind of creepy, really, and in any other neighborhood, that would frowned upon, I'm sure.

We don't stand in front of your building and glare.

And please stop saying nasty things to our escorts. That's not very nice, either.

They volunteer their time and stand outside our clinic so our patients can enter without being accosted by you.

I'm very glad they do that, so could you please just keep your comments to yourself?

Your sign out front says, "Full information on all options." I don't think so.

It says, "Whatever your need, we can help." I don't agree.

Why does your sign say, "Need a pregnancy test?" You can buy one at the drugstore or get one for free at the Sexual Health Centre.

Oh yes - one last thing. Please stop luring people into your building. That's wrong. If people call and tell you they want an abortion, don't tell them to "come on down."

Don't pretend that you can help them do that. Sometimes they believe you and drive hours for an appointment, only to find out that you're not going to help them at all.

Instead, you're going to scare them and mislead them. That's not very nice.

You upset people and make them angry and ashamed. You use power to intimidate vulnerable people.

Know that your actions encourage violence. It takes only one misguided, unbalanced individual to take a life.

Don't you be responsible.

Simone Leibovitch

Manager