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Scuffle results in deal at Planned Parenthood
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A Penn Hills woman who was sued by the Department of Justice and accused of pushing volunteers at Planned Parenthood's Downtown clinic signed a consent judgment Thursday, just days before she faced trial.
The Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania clinic on Liberty Avenue has a well-marked 25-foot no-protest buffer zone around its entrance, and in the order Meredith Parente agrees not to come within 25 feet of that zone's boundaries, meaning she cannot come within 50 feet of the entrance. She is also permanently enjoined from violating the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act.
Ms. Parente, 56, had faced the prospect of a civil trial starting Tuesday. She was accused of shoving two people who were escorting clients into the clinic, which is the scene of frequent anti-abortion protests. She could have been penalized and fined a total of $25,000.
First Published November 9, 2012 12:00 am
