Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 7/13/2022
EASTHAMPTON – A proposed ordinance dealing with “Deceptive Advertising Practices of Limited Services Pregnancy Centers” has been referred back to the Ordinance Committee and city attorney, as the City Council seeks a more precise language.
The proposed ordinance states, “No limited services pregnancy center, with the intent to perform a pregnancy-related service, shall make or disseminate before the public, or cause to be made or disseminated before the public, in any newspaper or other publication, through any advertising device, or in any other manner, including, but not limited to, through use of the internet, any statement concerning any pregnancy-related service or the provision of any pregnancy-related service that is deceptive, whether by statement or omission, and that a limited services pregnancy center knows or reasonably should know to be deceptive.”
Following an initial meeting on June 1, the City Council tabled further discussion to a public hearing on July 6. At the outset of the hearing, City Council President Homar Gomez told the packed audience that no action was going to be taken, aside from the vote to turn the matter over to the Ordinance Committee. Another vote was taken to remove the ordinance from the public hearing until further discussions took place.
“We don’t know what that recommendation will be,” Gomez said. “We may remove it, table it. We’re not voting tonight, we’re not taking any action.”
Councilor Owen Zaret said that the ordinance is about customer protection. He said it has to do with what is advertised on an organization’s website or through other means, and pertains to matters such as suggesting that it offers a service that doesn’t exist. He added that what happens once a person is there is not covered.
“If you are fed information that is not scientifically accurate, that is protected,” he said. “We are not trying coerce speech, you can say whatever you want. This is about not derailing people when they’re seeking medical service.”
Over the next two hours, more than 40 people spoke in person and through Google Meet, offering their opinion on the ordinance, its language, and impact on the community. Many who spoke accused these pregnancy centers of spreading misinformation or coercing women into making a decision. Meghan Lemay said research has shown that those who work at these centers have a history of talking people out of abortions, despite not being healthcare workers.
“As someone who has worked in healthcare, I have seen the lies spread by these anti-abortion centers,” said Lemay. “We are in desperate need of this ordinance in Easthampton and in Massachusetts.”
Carrie Baker, a faculty member at Smith College, has written extensively on the work done at pregnancy care centers and has concerns about the misinformation give to young, vulnerable women – that abortions cause cancer or depression, all of which she said has been debunked.
“There is little government oversight at the state or federal level,” said Baker. “We really need to keep a close eye on these centers.”
Jessica Briton of Westfield felt that the law was too one-sided in that it would only affect pregnancy care centers while not impacting organizations like Planned Parenthood.
“You won’t get a balanced message,” said Briton. “I don’t think it’s deceptive and I don’t think there should be any regulation against it.”
Kelly Wilcox, the CEO of Clearway Clinic, spoke to the services offered there. She said the state-licensed facility offers evidence-based, informed consent on all the options available. Wilcox added that over the last year, over 600 families have been helped through Clearway.
“[Women] need unbiased education and healthcare and diagnosis,” she said.
The meeting got heated at times as people spoke on abortion and their beliefs. One woman was escorted from the meeting by police, saying that the ordinance needed to also target Planned Parenthood. As she was escorted out by police, she said “God bless” to the audience. Wayne Worsham of Holyoke accused Planned Parenthood of giving misinformation when telling patients that abortion is the only option and that if past generations had chosen abortion, none would be here today.
“Women have to understand, when they become pregnant, that is a God-given responsibility and they have to bring that child forth in the admonition of the Lord,” he said.
Keith Davis of Holyoke said that pregnancy care centers are about protecting lives and that the abortion industry has been using deception for almost 40 years.
“Ask the 60 million babies that died,” he said. “It’s not too safe for them.”
Of particular concern was the Bethlehem House. Located in Easthampton, the Bethlehem House is a nonprofit organization which offers free pregnancy resources for women in crisis. Richard Pasquini, a member of the organization’s Board of Directors, was worried that if the ordinance was passed, it could close it down.
“Talk to [Director] Pam Hibbard,” he said. “Go to this facility and see what it is all about. If you put this into effect, somehow it will affect this facility and it might close and that’s gonna be a tragedy. And I know you don’t want that to happen.”
Zaret added that similar ordinances have been upheld in San Francisco, New York City, and Hartford, CT, and that attorney generals have distributed warnings of misinformation spread by certain organizations. But in the case of Bethlehem House, there was nothing to be worried about.
“Bethlehem House provides a wonderful service. They’re clear about the service, that they are pro-life,” he said. “It doesn’t have advertising that claims to offer services that don’t exist. You’ll be in no danger if this ordinance passes.”