THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 16, 1995 TAG: 9502160411
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
The state Senate voted 26-14 to approve a bill that would heighten penalties for people who block access to abortion clinics.
The bill, sponsored by Del. Clifton Woodrum, D-Roanoke, survived several attempts by abortion foes to add crippling amendments. The Senate approved one small amendment. If the House agrees to the change, the bill will go to the governor.
Allen has not made up his mind about the bill, said his spokesman, Ken Stroupe.
The bill would create a minimum penalty of a 30-day jail sentence and $2,000 fine for anyone convicted of blocking clinics more than once.
Sen. Mark Earley, R-Chesapeake, argued that the bill is unnecessary in light of a ruling this week by the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that upholds the 1994 federal clinic access law.
Earley said the federal statute should be sufficient. He also said the state bill isn't as narrowly drawn as the one upheld by the 4th Circuit and would trample on free speech rights.
But the bill's supporters say the 4th Circuit decision bolsters their case.
They also say a state bill allows Virginia to prosecute offenders in state courts.
Sen. Janet Howell, D-Reston, said the Dec. 31 shooting of an abortion clinic in Norfolk has heightened fear of violent protests at clinics. No one was injured in the shooting.
``Our nightmare has already been experienced,'' she said.
Also Wednesday, about 200 people from Wythe County came to the Capitol to protest plans to let a private company build and operate a 1,500-bed medium security prison about two miles outside of Wytheville.
Representatives of Citizens Against the Prison met with legislators and Allen administration officials. They presented petitions with signatures of more than 3,000 Wythe County voters opposed to the plans.
The Wythe County Board of Supervisors recently voted 4-3 to endorse the plans and to reject a countywide advisory referendum on the issue.
``We feel like we have had no voice in the future of our county,'' said Linda Butt, the protest group's leader. ``You can't just turn private industry loose and let them do what they want.''
She said residents are afraid public safety will be jeopardized if a private company is allowed to operate a prison. They also are worried about the effect on property values and industrial recruitment.
Jeff Repass, one of the protesters, said citizens want a prison-site selection process that includes public hearings.
KEYWORDS: GENERAL ASSEMBLY ABORTION CLINIC by CNB