Anti-Abortion Demonstrators in 3 Cities Arrested

Anti-abortion demonstrators chained themselves to fences, stopped traffic and sang hymns as they blocked the entrances of clinics in three cities Saturday. More than 800 people were arrested, police said.

In New York, members of the anti-abortion group Operation Rescue continued to defy a federal judge’s order to stop blocking clinic entrances. Police said 690 people were arrested at demonstrations at six sites.

Protesters chained themselves together to slow police efforts as long “as we possibly can to save as many babies as we can,” said Bob Chuvala, an Operation Rescue spokesman.

72 Seized in New Orleans

In New Orleans, about 72 of the 400 demonstrators blocking the doors of the Delta Women’s Clinic were arrested on charges of obstructing a public place, police said. In Toronto, about 80 people were arrested in a demonstration outside the clinic of Dr. Henry Morgentaler, who led the fight for legalized abortion in Canada.

Use Varied Tactics

In the second day of demonstrations in New York, protesters chanted, lay down, triggered fire alarms and halted elevators, said Inspector Richard Mayronne, a police spokesman.

About 500 to 600 people stopped traffic for more than two hours while protesting activities of Planned Parenthood’s Margaret Sanger Center, said Sgt. Raymond O’Donnell, a police spokesman. An estimated 225 demonstrators were arrested.

“They were lying down and praying in seated positions,” O’Donnell said. “Most of the people had to be carried. We would load some people onto the bus, then other people would run out into the street and lie in front of the wheels of the bus.”

Carry on Stretchers

The second-biggest protest took place at Lincoln Women’s Services, where police said 175 people were arrested--most of them carried away on stretchers after they refused to walk.

U.S. District Judge Robert Ward issued a permanent injunction against the group Tuesday, forbidding members to obstruct access to clinics that perform abortions in New York City.

The order calls for a fine of $25,000 a day for violations.

Joan Coombs, deputy executive director of Planned Parenthood, said the organization planned to seek a contempt charge against Operation Rescue.