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CNN Live At Daybreak

In Colorado, Anti-Abortion Activists Using Internet to Publicize Their Views

Aired May 29, 2002 - 05:31   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: In Colorado, anti-abortion activists are using the Internet to publicize their views and show pictures of women entering abortion clinics. Critics say it's an outrageous invasion of privacy.

We get a look at the controversy from reporter Terry Jessup of CNN affiliate station KCNC.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TERRY JESSUP, REPORTER, KCNC (voice-over): Ken and Joe Scott see nothing wrong with taking pictures of abortion patients and posting them on the Internet.

KEN SCOTT, ANTI-ABORTION ACTIVIST: Well what we're trying to do is shame the women, shame the people that work at Planned Parenthood and the abortion industry so that it can be a tool to humble people so they can repent.

JESSUP: Planned Parenthood says, "Shame on them."

ELLEN BRILLIANT, PLANNED PARENTHOOD: This is an unconscionable invasion of privacy into a woman and her family's personal life.

JESSUP: Scott regularly takes pictures outside this Planned Parenthood facility at 20th and Vine. The curtains along the fence are an effort to thwart him. But he says putting the pictures on a Web site is having an impact.

SCOTT: There are many people from Planned Parenthood that quit; many of the staff. There is many women that have changed their mind.

JESSUP (on camera): The other side says, "Look, everybody else is using computers to make their point. That's all we're doing."

BRILLIANT: This crosses the line from freedom of speech to systematic and targeted intimidation and harassment.

JESSUP (voice-over): Scott, who complains the media won't show the gruesome pictures of aborted fetuses he displays on his van, says the Web site: abortioncams.com is getting almost two million hits a month. The site does raise legal questions the courts are just beginning to address. Do women going to an abortion clinic lose their right to privacy because they're entering a public place, or do they have additional rights because they're entering a medical clinic?

In Denver, Terry Jessup, News 4.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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