Legal News

Pro-life demonstrator may face prison

By Richard Binder

At 75 years of age, pro-life activist Ross Foti has been a regular fixture demonstrating in front of the San Mateo Planned Parenthood clinic since 2001.  A stipulated injunction Foti agreed to in 2004 prevents him from parking his truck, which is covered with graphic pictures of dead fetuses, too close to the clinic. He has also agreed to protest with no more than three signs at a time and to keep at least 15 feet from the clinic while protesting.

Planned Parenthood hired a private investigator to monitor Foti and, according to their attorney Beth Parker, believes he has been violating the agreement for some time.  Planned Parenthood will be presenting video evidence at a trial today. 

If a judge finds Foti has not been complying with the terms of the injunction, he could face up to 105 days in jail as well as fines.  His attorney, Katie Short, believes that Planned Parenthood is trying to conflate Foti's protest activities with those of another group, 40 Days for Life, who have been protesting in front of the clinic and, because they're not bound by any injunction, can do so within 15 feet of its doors.

Full story at the San Mateo Daily Journal.

Full post as published by Legal Pad | LA on January 19, 2010 (boomark / email).