'Great relief': Anti-abortion protesters respecting new ban outside clinic

Anti-abortion protesters are staying far away from a St. John's clinic, two weeks after acourt orderbanned protests within40metresof the building.

Rolanda Ryan, owner of the Athena Health Centre, says a lot of tension has disappeared from her building since the ruling in June.

"It just feels lighter in here. It's been fabulous," she said.

"It's the way it should be."

• Protests banned within 40 metres of St. John's abortion clinic

Ryan and her lawyer Lynn Moore reached an agreement with anti-abortion protesters in theSupreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador on June 28. Aninjunction bans protests within a 40-metre radius of the clinic,as well as in front of staff members' homes.

Whilethe protesters still come,so far they've stayed outside the new "bubble zone."

People now holdinganti-abortion signs on the street corner in front of the abandoned Grace Hospital, at least 100 metres away from the clinic.

'Could have been worse' say protesters

"For now this works for us. It's a good corner and there's no businesses around that may find it offensive," said Colette Fleming, a frequent anti-abortion protester in the area.

"It's very important to us that we still proclaim the pro-life message."

Fleming says she and others will still come out at least twice a week, regardless of how far away they have to stand from the clinic.

She says they will be measuring out the exact 40-metre distance so they can eventually move closer.

Fleming said the 40 metre ban "could have been much worse."

If they had enoughmoney, Fleming said they probably would have challenged the Supreme Court ruling.

However, she said, they already spent roughly $5,500 on court fees, some of which was supplied through private donations.

'A lot of gratitude'

Ryan said she's grateful the protesters are respecting the injunction, as it makes life much easier for her patients.

In the past, Ryansaid protesters "intimidated" patients with graphic signs and took photos of people going in and out.

"There's great relief and there's a lot of gratitude and appreciation for not having to encounter that now," she said.

Still pushing for law

Ryan said she's still pushing for a provincial law banning protests outside abortion clinics.

Justice Minister Andrew Parsons said he supports the idea and hopes to table legislation this fall.

"We're still anxious to have that passed because it just gives the law enforcement a little bit more clout to deal with it if anybody does breach that bubble zone," Ryan told CBC.

British Columbia has had asimilar "bubble zone" law hasin placefor several years.