In a recent column (“Planned Parenthood buffer zone a fundamental threat to liberty,” Nov. 22), M. D. Harmon reminded all of us “that the First Amendment was written to shield unpopular speech from being suppressed in public spaces,” as it pertains to demonstrators at the Planned Parenthood offices in Portland.

His point is simply that a recent ordinance passed by the Portland City Council infringes upon the First Amendment rights of protesters.

He quotes Jeff Jacoby of The Boston Globe that the First Amendment’s purpose is to “shield unpopular or distressing speech from being suppressed in public spaces.” However, the Supreme Court has ruled that not all speech is protected. The famous example is yelling “Fire” in a crowded theater since it presents a public danger.

I believe that the protesters are doing so to intimidate those attempting to avail themselves of the myriad services provided by Planned Parenthood. One of these services involves abortion, a right guaranteed by the Constitution as decided by the Supreme Court in Roe v. Wade. It seems Mr. Harmon believes the right to protest trumps the right to an abortion.

Believing that abortion is reprehensible does not give anyone the right to suppress another individual’s right to follow through on what might be the most difficult decision she has made. The real point is that intimidation of people availing themselves of lawful services is un-American and must not be tolerated by anyone who really believes that we are a country ruled by laws and not by intimidation.

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