Heated abortion debate erupts over Spokane driveway ordinance

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — The proposed ordinance was about blocking driveways but the debate was about abortion at Monday night's Spokane City Council meeting.

The issue became heated because the ordinance would prevent abortion protesters from blocking the driveway to Planned Parenthood.

Anti-abortion activists want to exercise their free speech rights to talk with people approaching the clinic. On the other side, abortion rights advocates say protesters stop patients to deliver a prayer or denunciation.

KHQ reports, at the end, the council voted to outlaw blocking driveways as a traffic and public safety matter.