Protesters picket clinic in Arlington Heights
For the third week in a row, a solemn group of abortion opponents have gathered outside an Arlington Heights doctors office they believe performs the procedure.
From 9 to 10 a.m. Thursdays - the day they say the abortions take place at American Health Center - the protesters pray the rosary and hold signs reading "Women Regret Abortions" and "Men Regret Lost Fatherhood."
"We're trying to end abortions, if not by law then by conscience," Rolling Meadows resident Maria Goldstein said. "We're not trying to offend anyone and we're not showing graphic images."
Goldstein said the roughly 10 protesters are from several Catholic churches in the area, including Our Lady of the Wayside and St. James Parish in Arlington Heights, as well as St. Theresa Parish in Palatine.
Last week, police responded to a call and asked the protesters to move their cars from the building's parking lot, located at 1640 N. Arlington Heights Road. They complied without incident, Arlington Heights police spokesman Doug Hajek said. Someone from the building's business office came outside on Thursday with the same request.
Whether abortions even take place at American Health Center is in dispute.
Owner Dr. Vinod Goyal couldn't be reached for comment, but receptionist Blanca Cruz said the office provides family planning services, not abortions.
Another employee said any patient who requests the procedure is referred to an affiliate, Dimensions Medical Center in Des Plaines. Not even the scheduling is handled at the Arlington Heights location, that employee said.
But some of the assembled protesters said they've called American Health Center office directly and received conflicting answers. Sometimes they're told abortions aren't performed, and sometimes they're told they occur on Thursdays.
The group has also found various advertisements promoting the service there, including one in the Yellow Pages.
Laura Vandercar said she'll discuss the group's next step with representatives of the Pro Life Action League, but predicts they'll be back next week for their fourth protest.
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