The City Council has been quite a dramatic place recently, especially with the vicious fight over term limits. Since then things have turned mostly to planning for the upcoming budget battle but that doesn't mean an incendiary social issue can't send sparks into the air between those that support abortion rights and those that do. Yesterday Charles Barron and James Oddo let their voices (but thankfully not their fists) rip and roar at each other.
From PolitickerNY:
Generally inaudiblity is what happens when two people fixed to their ideas get into it over an issue like abortion rights. Protesting something you believe in is perfectly fine if you aren't intimidating the life, liberty and pursuit of happiness of another. The problem with the people that Oddo is standing up for is that many infringe on the rights of those that wish to proceed with visiting an abortion clinic. Unfortunately in too many occasions doctors and patients have been hurt or killed by the hate these protesters. If someone comes up with a bill to make sure they stay in line, then more power to them....and to Charles Barron for standing up for it.The dispute occurred during a hearing on a bill that would strengthen laws that govern protesters who demonstrate in front of women's health clinics that provide abortions, and also other services. Supporters say it protects access to the clinics, critics say it infringes on free speech. Christine Quinn backs the the bill and co-wrote an opinion piece on it today.
Oddo opposes abortion rights. Barron supports them.
According to a person who attended the hearing, the fight was so chaotic, “It was hard to make out what they were saying.”
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