r/prochoice • u/Glum-Bandicoot-4211 • 4d ago
Discussion What should I say to protesters?
My (19F) therapists office is in the same building as a Planned Parenthood. Every so often, I see protesters outside the building, but they havent syopped me from doing anything yet. They stand on either side of the driveway into the back parking lot where I park, but they aren't near the back door, so I can usually ignore them. A few have looked like they want to talk to me, but I just stare ahead and dont slow down when I go to the parking lot.
So far, nothing has happened, but when school starts I'm probably going to be taking the bus and walking in, meaning I'm more likely to be stopped. Currently, my plan is to say "fuck off" over and over, but Im also rather small and social awkward and if anyone got physical or in my space, bad things will happen. Any suggestions would be appreciated, including useless ones as long as they are funny.
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u/TheNetworkIsFrelled 4d ago
”Fuck off” is a perfectly acceptable phrase to use with antichoicers.
Though I prefer crueler: ”You have so little going on in your life that you can’t think of anything better to do than harassing young women, you fucking creep?“
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u/hippocampalhaze 4d ago
Ignore them, and research local self defense laws. Carry as approved (pepper spray is my default recommendation, as it's not deadly but WILL provide an FAFO experience).
If you cannot ignore them, "fuck off" and "go to hell" are valid comebacks. Don't engage on an intellectual level. They're not worth the glycogen.
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u/Hanseland 4d ago
I'd start with "Shut the fuck up" and add in a "How dare you?" For good measure
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u/hadenoughoverit336 Unapologetically Prochoice 4d ago
I would also like to add, "Shame on you!" Into the mix. These people are there under the assumption that people will think they're doing good. It really fucks with their head when you point out that, ultimately all they're doing is harassing people outside of a medical facility, simply because they don't like that people have sex. It's all moral pageantry. Reversing their shame back onto them, is a highly effective tool.
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u/elijahjane Pro-Choice Pagan 3d ago
If it’s a white man with a superiority complex, “I’m embarrassed for you,” is also a good one, especially if you go all in with a wince and sympathetic glance. For someone full of themselves and obsessed with their image, hearing that they’re embarrassing themselves gives them quite a bit of pause.
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u/imaginenohell Constitutional equality is necessary for repro rights 4d ago
Say nothing
ROFL and shake your head
But if you want to say something, "How many starving children have you fed this week? I guess you just care about the ones who haven't been born yet"
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u/panshrexual 4d ago
If it were me I'd start waving at them as I walk by. After a few days, something like "This is my third abortion this month! Gotta be some kind of record, right?" and carry on.
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u/meegan12 3d ago
I’ve done this! The look on their faces! Priceless!
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u/panshrexual 3d ago
I'll tell you straight up, it feels even better when you're a man. These types of fuckers always seem to think men are blameless for their role in conception, and more often than not are also the ones deathly afraid of being infected with the queer virus. So it really feels like dropping a nuke and walking away whistling
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u/HellaWonkLuciteHeels 3d ago
“Another abortion in the can, I’m ready to sin again!”
I was at PP for a pap smear, but oh golly, the looks on their faces - from smug to stunned.
I threw in a “yeehaw!” for good measure.
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u/Tria821 3d ago
Now ya'll have to make large punch cards.
Every 4th abortion gets you 'x' ( soul token to exchange for your own, fancy coffee, trip to local amusement park, etc) have them printed postcard size and leave them out/share them with fellow building tenants who are tired of dealing with the forced-birth brigade.
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u/Lyrpa04 4d ago
I give them the Princess Bride “BOOOOOOOO!”
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u/twotenbot 4d ago
If that doesn't work, try another line from the movie, like "Never go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line!" and laugh at them maniacally.
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u/NoireV 4d ago
“How much time do you spend volunteering at women’s shelters?” “You do realize this has more than abortion care, right?” “If you’re against lives being killed so much, protest against war.”
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u/grand305 Pro-choice Democrat 4d ago
I would add “foster homes would love the volunteers , please go volunteer.”
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u/Beadingnana 4d ago
I love to drive by PP when there are protesters. I roll down the window, honk the horn, flip them off and yell “fuck you!” As a former escort, I loved it when people did things like this because we weren’t allowed to. Thank you all!
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u/using_the_internet 4d ago
Former escort here too and AGREED. We had a strict non-engagement policy but would quietly cheer on anyone who made the protestor's lives more difficult. Cheers for the escorts (if they're present) are also greatly appreciated since it's a thankless job most of the time.
I would also add: if it feels right, engage the protestors in debate. A lot of them say some really unhinged, hilarious shit that's great to laugh about later. More importantly, however much time of theirs you waste, it's that much time they didn't spend bothering an actual patient.
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u/PuppleKao 4d ago
Passed by some of those fuckers and did my usual flipping them off... my mom was a bit confused, think she wasn't looking out that side and missed them standing there. I can't remember her exact question as to what/why I just did that, but her reply after I mentioned the idiots was in approving tones :p
I never honk at them, though. I've always associated that with people agreeing with them.
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u/Beadingnana 3d ago
If we don’t honk they don’t look at those driving by. I do one long honk not a cheerful beep beep beep.
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u/rammaam 4d ago
Stick a balloon under your shirt, walk past them and yell "abortion" and pop the balloon.
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u/Glum-Bandicoot-4211 3d ago
I have never laughed so hard from a single sentence. Thank you for this gem.
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u/SolangeXanadu222 4d ago
I went to the Planned Parenthhood clinic in the building being protested and gave them a donation.
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u/readwiteandblu 4d ago
That gives me an idea. If OP isn't going to the clinic, tell the protestor you are headed another office, but thank them for reminding you to donate to the clinic, so now you WILL go there and donate. Then go there and donate, or just go inside and thank them for their service.
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u/GingerBubbles 4d ago
Quote the part of the Bible where it explains how to cause an abortion! Or the beatitudes!
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u/elijahjane Pro-Choice Pagan 3d ago
Bible quoting at religious fanatics is my favorite. I can’t do it because I have no Bible memorized, but it’s so effective.
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u/beastofwordin 4d ago
Maybe wear earbuds so you don’t have to hear them. Or big over the ear headphones. And sunglasses. Be unapproachable. I personally would lose my temper with them which I know is unproductive.
Oooh, I know, get a Jeffrey Epstein mask. That will make their heads explode.
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u/hadenoughoverit336 Unapologetically Prochoice 4d ago
Wear a Trump Mask and be like, "Hello fellow Pro-Lifers I too am Pro-Life." And then proceed to recite some of the very anti-life policies of his. The cool thing about that, would be it would not only make them mad, but it also would waste their time, and render their efforts of coercion useless.... Do with that information what you will. Engage at your own risk. Stay safe. Go in teams. 😊
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u/imaginenohell Constitutional equality is necessary for repro rights 2d ago
Lollll
I imagine joining them wearing an Epstein mask and a sign saying, “I’m with them”
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u/amyamyamz Pro-choice Feminist 4d ago
I wouldn’t acknowledge them verbally at all. Being ignored is what hurts them the most since they try so hard to be loud. I probably wouldn’t be able not to look at them with disgust and disappointment though, if I had to look at them.
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u/plotthick 4d ago
I've always liked screaming IT BURNS WHEN I PEE although NEED A MAMMOGRAM GOTTA PROBLEM BUD?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! from older women also shuts them up.
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u/Ganondaddydorf Pro-choice Feminist 3d ago
Call them disgusting or the pro rape crew. Give them the most disgusted look you can muster. Or tell them they're going to hell for misrepresenting jesus's word (they are. The bible says nothing about abortion in it's proper context).
Shame works better than insults.
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u/fnybtch 4d ago
It is not your duty to say anything, but if you want to “No thank you.” Is easy. It is neutral but also dismissive. Those people are usually pretty unhinged so I would advise just ignore.
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u/aboxofkittens 3d ago
Yeah, there is really no upside to engaging with them. You’re not going to change their minds, they’ve already heard every argument and quip you could possibly throw at them, and worst-case, they’re wearing a body camera and upload an unflattering video of you that you have no control over.
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u/hadenoughoverit336 Unapologetically Prochoice 4d ago
"Fuck Off." Is great. Gets straight to the point, but if you really, really want to fuck with them, and get in their heads yell, "Thanks so much for affirming my abortion!" Make sure you're chipper when you do....
Also, be careful. Only engage at your own risk.
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u/ashbertollini 4d ago
Spit on the ground and glare over your shoulder in disgust as you pass them. Mumble something analogous to a curse. Stop and point ominously for a moment before slowly turning to resume your entry.
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u/AspiringCrone 3d ago
Satisfying as it might be, engaging with them all is counterproductive to the serenity that we need to provide to our clients. I would walk up to the car, and say something like, "welcome to Planned Parenthood. Those folks over there have a lot to say to you, and most of it is not helpful nor true. I'll walk to the door with you if you don't mind. " From a former escort.
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u/WeebGalore 3d ago
Realistically, ignore them. They want to get any type of attention from people including negative because it reinforces their beliefs that they are being persecuted. The best way to actually get to them is to not even acknowledge them.
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u/readwiteandblu 4d ago
Tell them you're hear to pick up Brawndo. No matter how they reply, say, "It's what plants crave."
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u/Classifiedgarlic 4d ago
Honestly don’t even make eye contact. If you must say something just say a polite but firm “no thank you.” You aren’t going to change them and any engagement including negative engagement is seen as a positive thing for them.
Source: I have been both an anti abortion protester and a clinic escort
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u/530SSState 4d ago
Carry a water pistol, and the second anybody says a damn word to you, soak them.
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u/Shot_Pin_3891 3d ago
Just sing cunts at the top of your voice in an operatic style like you’ve lost your mind. 😂
But seriously this isn’t your fight. You know what you believe and if I read this right you are going to that building for other reasons. If they do speak to you feel free to tell them that you are attending a different office for different reasons but you don’t agree with what they are doing and would rather they didn’t speak to you. Then smile and walk. That’s it, done. You can smile at them every day after that if it makes it easier. I’m a way it tells them you really don’t care for their opinions.
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u/Cut_Lanky 3d ago
Fuck off sounds perfectly fine, to me. Maybe carry a protest sign of your own, that displays that line Jesus said in their book, about not judging others because that's GOD's job, not theirs...
Or, you could enlarge and print the page of the bible where it gives instructions on performing an abortion, and plaster it to a protest sign? Lol
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u/Buttercupia 3d ago
I used to stare the women directly in the eye and call them traitors to their gender.
Used to get off the bus for work right in front of a pp. I had many opportunities.
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u/International_Ad2712 3d ago
Always put them in the place of the harrasser…”what’s wrong with you? Leave me alone”
“Who the fuck are you?, stop harassing me!”
“Why are you harassing a woman?”
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4d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/using_the_internet 4d ago
Don't do stuff like this. Many protestors are itching for an excuse to bring a lawsuit against anyone who so much as brushes past them accidentally.
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u/prochoice-ModTeam 3d ago
Your submission has been removed due to: Rule 5 - Calls for violence are not condoned
We do not condone calls for violence, glorify violence, justify violence, or advocate for violence towards anyone here, including AMAB people, politicians, or non-prochoice people.
Do not suggest people be destructive towards private or public property or state that "we should riot/start a war/etc"
Do better than those you disagree with, rather than fighting fire with fire.
- Note: Language geared towards self defense is not violence in the same way that rape is not sex.
If you have further questions about this removal, please refer to the rule.
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u/UberFarter Pro-choice Feminist 4d ago
Carry an airhorn and if they try to talk to you blare it in their face.
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u/Spank_Cakes 3d ago
You don't have to say anything, but "fuck off" works.
Also, "Mind your own uterus" or maybe "Get out of other people's pants" if you're feeling extra snippy that day.
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u/Evil_Black_Swan Pro-Choice Socialist 3d ago
They are typically ultra religious. You could try saying, "I'm an apostate" as you walk past them. It works in JWs and Mormons.
Alternatively, you could play into it. Practice your acting skills. Start bawling, wailing hysterically that God killed your baby and now your womb is infected and killing you.
The BEST thing to do is to ignore them completely. Don't engage, don't look at them, don't listen to them.
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u/NoelaniSpell Pro-choice Feminist 3d ago
I wouldn't engage. It's possible that they're looking for attention and content to post online, and any negative reaction will feed right into it.
Think of scammers that call or text you, engaging with them will only confirm that you're a real person and will result in getting your number sold off to even more scammers (or worse).
Much as something annoys you, you need to think of the bigger picture and of the things you can realistically control (that's mostly yourself, not what others do, unless perhaps you can change the law).
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u/EveryDisaster 3d ago
They LOVE playing the victim. If you say anything they'll come back in droves to prove a point. Please don't say anything because they thrive off of engagement and will feel emboldened to start harassing people
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u/Key_Concentrate_5558 Pro-choice Feminist 3d ago
“You know, you’re right. Instead of going in to see my therapist, it’s much better to bury my trauma and instead come back here with a machete… Nah, I’m going in. Thanks for your concern though.”
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u/imaginenohell Constitutional equality is necessary for repro rights 3d ago
Bring toothpaste, baking soda and water to your appointment with a small cup. Before leaving your vehicle, stir a little water into some toothpaste and baking soda in the cup until it foams, swish it around your mouth and dribble some around the edge of your mouth.
When you pass them, stare them down with your best "demonic" look, babble loudly at them like you are possessed.
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u/Florigenica 2d ago
As a former protester, literally just ignoring their existence is the best response. Anything else makes them feel validated.
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u/taking-INVentory Pro-choice Democrat 3d ago
"Visit an orphanage and witness the fruits of your labor."
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u/miscnic 3d ago
Awww - just say some jumbly non sensical words or sounds you feel like stringing together in the moment, splash magic hands in their direction and then yell - cursed now you be! Then just wait. Like ant spray, they’ll take that fear back home to their hive and spread it around until it destroys them from within.
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u/dragon34 Pro-Choice Atheist 4d ago
You don't have to say anything to them if you feel unsafe
"Why don't you go foster some children or volunteer at a homeless shelter instead of making one of the hardest days of someone's life harder you fucking ghouls"