NJ protester completely barred from getting close to abortion clinic – NorthJersey.com

A former Bergenfield resident has been completely barred from coming inside 25 ft of an Englewood abortion clinic after he allegedly twice shoved a volunteer who was attempting to assist sufferers into the constructing, the U.S. Lawyer’s Workplace introduced Monday.

Daniel Courney, 38, violated the Freedom of Entry to Clinic Entrances Act when he harassed ladies outdoors Metropolitan Medical Associates on Engle Road in October 2021 and used bodily pressure to intimidate volunteers, in response to the federal grievance.

Courney, whom court docket paperwork referred to as “probably the most aggressive anti-abortion protester” outdoors the clinic, additionally repeatedly adopted sufferers to its doorways and blocked the entrances together with his physique, the grievance mentioned.

This week, prosecutors and Courney’s protection legal professional signed a consent decree that can, amongst different issues, ban him from going close to the clinic or its shoppers.

“Entry to reproductive well being care is a elementary proper,” Philip R. Sellinger, U.S. Lawyer for New Jersey, mentioned in an announcement. “People should have the ability to entry amenities just like the Englewood clinic to make choices about their very own our bodies, well being and futures, in session with well being care suppliers. These suppliers are entitled to supply providers free from the specter of violence towards them.”

Courney’s legal professional, Demetrios Stratis of Honest Garden, didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.

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The U.S. District Court docket for the District of New Jersey should nonetheless approve the decree. If it does, Courney will even be on the hook for a $5,000 civil penalty, of which he should pay 20% inside 30 days.

The rest can be suspended except he violates the consent decree, court docket paperwork mentioned.

He’s additionally barred from flying drones inside 25 ft of the Englewood clinic, the decree added.

Sellinger mentioned his workplace is dedicated to defending the liberty of entry legislation and requested anybody with details about potential violations to contact the U.S. Lawyer’s Workplace.