Abortion Face-Off In Los Angeles

About 400 protesters on both sides of the abortion battle staged a noisy standoff at a clinic Saturday, drawing police in riot gear and ending with 25 arrests.

Abortion foes trying to block the doors of The Women’s Medical Clinic came up against a larger group of pro-choice demonstrators who kept the doors open.

A city ordinance that took effect last week makes it illegal to interfere with the operation of a clinic.

At least 60 police officers, some in riot gear and some on horses, kept order during the two-hour demonstration.

About 300 abortion rights advocates arrived first and some stood guard at the entrance so patients could enter safely. Soon after, about 100 members of the anti-abortion group Operation Rescue arrived and tried to block the doors.

The two sides shouted at each other. In the end, 23 abortion opponents and two counter-demonstrators were arrested for investigation of misdemeanors, including failure to disperse and disorderly conduct.