Pastor Arrested for Speaking Out Against Buffer Zone at Abortion Clinic

On March 20, Pastor Victor Allan McCleskey of New Port Richey was arrested for refusing to sign a traffic citation he received after protesting at the Bread and Roses Women’s Health Center in Clearwater. McCleskey and another man were cited for violating the buffer zone, which prohibits protesters from entering the center’s driveway and 5 feet of the sidewalk on either side of the driveway. The buffer zone was approved unanimously by the Clearwater City Council earlier this month, with the intention of managing confrontations that may arise when responding to calls at the center.

However, McCleskey believes that the buffer zone is unconstitutional and infringes upon his right to free speech. He voiced his opposition to the buffer zone at the City Council meeting on March 2, arguing that it would hinder his ability to speak out against the murder of babies in the womb. As a pro-life advocate, he believes that abortion is the taking of innocent human life, and that it is a moral imperative to speak out against it.

“Most likely I would have gotten arrested anyway because I was not going to stay out of the buffer zone area.”

Furthermore, McCleskey’s refusal to sign the citation was not simply an act of civil disobedience, but an expression of his religious faith. He stated that he believed God did not want him to sign the citation, and as a pastor, he feels called to obey God’s laws above man-made laws. His arrest highlights the tension between the secular law and the higher law of God, which for many pro-life advocates takes precedence over any government edict, as McCleskey stated:

“We will continue to preach against the murder of babies and I believe we should be loud against the murder of little babies in the wombs.”

While the buffer zone may have been intended to promote safety, it ultimately serves to silence the voices of those who would speak out against the taking of innocent human life. Pro-life advocates believe that it is their duty to defend the defenseless, and to speak out on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves. As such, they will continue to protest outside abortion clinics, regardless of the buffer zone or any other attempts to suppress their message.

Alexander J. Williams III