This is ridiculous - I'm all for freedom of speech, but this goes above and beyond that!!! Teenagers are going to make a decision based on what is best for them/their families not based on 2 individuals standing outside a school entrance. I am not happy that the county approved and issued a permit for this action!!

Wow. It's a good thing that teenagers have resources that overshadow such a cheap attempt at attention getting. It would seem more proactive to me for these folks to advocate programming and curriculum that teaches safe sex, abstinence "plus" and the like. I guess that would be less controversial though without testing the community on it's "rights." These protesters have never proven effective on any measurements statewide or nationwide; a total waste of energy and jarring to the community on which they stand.

I am all for freedom of speech and understand these groups have a right to assembly. However, these radical groups don't take into consideration what their graphic pictures do to the minds of our impressionable youth. Even though freedom of speech is a constitutional right, it is not absolute. Yelling fire in a crowded theatre or inciting a riot is illegal. These VERY GRAPHIC displays should be censured too! Every year I have to avoid their display at the State Fair. Why are the rights of these radical groups more important than the rights of a father trying to show his family a good time? I am not saying they shouldn't be allowed to get their message out, but there are acceptable ways to do it. Our lawmakers should be petitioned to draft legislation to regulate what can be displayed near our schools or at public gatherings. Just as there are more stringent penalties for selling drugs in a school zone, there should be rules governing what can be displayed during protest. I have to send my children to school. I can't change the channel at a live protest as I can on television if I think the programming is inappropriate for my children to see. If you agree with my comment, join me in contacting our politicians, both local and state, in voicing our displeasure.

"Look at me!! Look at me!!"

I saw the signs after I dropped my son off. They are very graphic and caught me off-guard - causing me to do a double-take and distracting me for a few seconds. I think right outside of a high school is not a good place for this. It's hard enough driving through there in the mornings trying to avoid kids crossing the street, coming out from parked cars, cars and busses pulling out, etc. There are a lot of new teenager drivers in that area also at that time of the morning - they certainly don't need anymore distractions. Not to mention what affect the signs would have on a small child. I'm against abortion, but I don't like those signs either.

We pass these protesters on Belair Road at Fowler Avenue. I don't mind the signs with words, but how do I explain to my small child what that picture is? People are entitled to their own beliefs, but I shouldn't have to have my young family exposed to that garbage when I'm driving down the road. Why do they do it? To elicit a dramatic response. To hold a sign of a mutilated baby is just as disgusting as they say the act itself is.

Steven J., as you suggested, I will be writing letters this weekend.

"I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it."
Voltaire

If they had done the Bernie, then the principal would have kicked them off. These guys are about as sick as all those in favor of gay marriage or welfare. It all comes down to beliefs.

Read more: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/v/voltaire_3.html#ixzz1mekP39bA

Do you let your kids go to the Avenue and sneak peeks at the girls in the Tilted Kilt? Do you even know where your kids go after you drop them off?

Bernie or not, the protesters were only as close as the law allowed them to be. And no, I don't drop my kids off at the Avenue or the mall. What does this have to do with the graphic nature of this protest?

They got what they wanted, which was to attract attention to their cause.

Just like The Westboro Baptist Church.

One thing I didn't know, but I am sure David Marks will elaborate, is why is a permit necessary to demonstrate on a sidewalk? Is a permit required for every protest? Interesting?

Let them be ,if they get rough like Occupy does, haul em out .

This is from the county web site in permits and licensing. There are also regulations demonstrators must follow during the protest as well. They must not impede traffic and they must keep moving at all times as well.

Q. Is a permit required to have a parade, walkathon, march, bike rally, or similar activity?

A. Yes. You must submit a completed application a minimum of 45 days prior to the event date. The application must include information relating to the assembly and dispersal areas; starting and ending times; and the number of persons, animals, and vehicles in the parade. Information relating to the route of the parade, which must include the streets and/or highways through which the parade will pass, is also required. For additional information and permit fees, contact the Miscellaneous Permit and License Processing Bureau at 410-887-3616.

Several people are missing the point. We are not talking morals, or parenting skills or in reality, we are not even talking about our rights. We are talking about what is appropriate.

To Bill Howard: There is a big difference between demonstrators, no matter what the number, and what is on television. I can change the channel if I don't like the programing. There are better ways of getting your point across than showing shocking, offensive and MISREPRESENTED pictures. Yes, they are a misrepresentation. The pictures show something the size of a man's pinkey finger and enlarge it to a 3 foot tall poster. It's nothing but sensationalism. I am horrified by the pictures of starving third world children, but they are at least an accurate representation of what is going on in those countries. Yes a picture is worth a thousand words, but let's not give people nightmares. And how can you say the message has been supressed? We are so close to haveing Rowe v Wade overturned it's scarey. This is a group of fanatics, not unlike the WBC. The WBC is far more active than you think. Just because you don't hear about it doesn't mean they haven't been around.

A fanatic, by definition is someone who goes to extremes to get their point across. The two men at the HS are fanatics. Fanatics are not defined by numbers. Most funerals that are protested by WBC are only attended by 2 or 3 members. Would you deny WBC members are fanatics?

Do the politicians that stand at Belair and Joppa need a permit to hold their signs? They are waving, yelling and generally trying to attract attention at an intersection known for it's crashes. Standing in front of PHHS in the morning is an excellent way to have a LOT of people see your message. Are we protesting the protest because we don't like the message, or we don't like the disruption? If we don't like disruption, then I hope when the politicians hit the busy corners, we protest as loudly.

I was aware of the protest issue from the Patch article yesterday. When I picked my daughter up after school, I casually asked her if anything had happened at school today. She told me about a fight between 2 freshmen at the end of the day. Nothing else was noteworthy to her. I mentioned the protest and she said, "Oh that, no big deal." This is another example of parents blowing things out of proportion. Use these events to have open communication with your teenagers and discuss important topics. Don't try to shelter them from the reality of the real world, or else they won't know how to deal with it when they need to!

Good points Peggy. It wasn't like this was an elementary school.

When I rode by the school there were more than just 2 men. I saw women holding signs in the driveway entering the school and they were not on the public sidewalk from by viewpoint. I did not see the police officiers in this area.

I do believe in free speech, however I do not think this was an appropriate place for their message. Yes, they are high school students, but regardless to what others may think many are still minors. This is also a residential area where you have children riding with parents dropping off their children.

Maybe the issuing of permits should be revised when it pertains to demonstrations in a residential and school area.

What a bizarre world we live in. I am very pro life, but found these signs horrendously offensive! I have been a nurse for almost 12 years and prior to that ran EMS for several years.. needless to say I've seen some gory, awful, gross things... but I still wasn't prepared for the images displayed on the signs those "men" displayed. Where is MY right to not be horrified and offended while dropping off my son to school?! Did these "men" falsely assume that every person passing by planned to have an abortion?! I can't believe society excuses such irresponsible behavior. What's next?! Maybe I should have banners made displaying REAL American soldiers who are mutilated and maimed at war-time to "pep up" the cause of Patriotism, or even Anti-War?! C'mon people, we CAN do better than this.

Look I have had one kid who's already been through Perry Hall High and one who is in there now. If you think those signs are shocking to the kids there then maybe you should read the books they have to read Such as Along way Gone, which is required reading a true story about a war in Africa that talks about how men got there genitals chopped off with a mache , and how they got there heads chopped off , they talked about how they shot off a rpg and when it blew up it blinded a guy then they blew off another one an his blood rained down. Or how people intenstines are hanging out of there bodies brain matter coming out of their nose and ears.....and that is just a small part of this book....and you guys are complaining and calling people radicals who are holding signs trying to protect a human life. since when is trying to protect human life being a radical....if these posters offend you maybe you should look into the books your kids are being made to read in school. Because they are 100% worse then these posters...Thank you Renee ,peggy and Bill for your points

Hmm.... I never personally used the term radical, but if the shoe fits, why not? It is an extreme method to make a simple point.
Perhaps we need to investigate the reason students are required to read such morbid books.
My only point was that I found it appalling to be subject to such graphic displays without any expectation or warning. I've lived and seen a lot, and despite this I found the photographs very disturbing. I guess I don't have a right to not be subject to such things, since it would hinder others' rights to express themselves. ::Shrug:: I guess I shouldn't express myself?
Sherrie, I do see a difference between complaining and discussing a matter. I brought up the subject to a)make the matter known and b)have an adult discussion, not complain. Complaining isn't a solution, only another part of the problem. I'm not exactly sure I understand the intent of your comment; to bring to light the fact that students are forced to read questionably appropriate materials?
I was happy to see Councilman Marks' comment requesting that in the future, when such permits are approved, that the community/school etc will be made aware.
Lastly, one has to wonder if such gruesome displays really further the cause of Pro Life/Anti Abortion.... as I said, I'm very Pro Life, but found this display horribly offensive.

First of all, these arent kids they are in high school. Some of them can drive, some cant.
Second kids see violent things from movies to video games. what is the difference between dead fetus and shooting someone's head off in COD through a sniper scopes
third They are protected by the constitution. whether or not it is appropriate is a matter of opinion.
fourth. this group protest on belair road in front of the shopping center where the beltway 6 is and no one seems to fuss about this. NOW all of a sudden 15-18 are innocent children. Not young adults.

Yes, because if I want to discuss abortion issues with my child I would like it to be in a mature way and not in the manner in which they choose to do it. My child even said no big deal because we have had discussions before. As I stated, it is also in a residential area as well, there are younger children in vehicles going by the same area and no parent would like to have that discussion with a 6, 7 or 8 (etc.) year old on their way to school or work.

How about them attempting to arrange an assembly within the school system to discuss it? My guess, Baltimore County schools would not allow it. They use this forum to cause more traffic issues than normal and to get the shock value so early in the morning.

I still believe the issuing of permits might need to be adjusted for incidents of this nature. I do not believe any protesting of this kind needs to be in front of a school or residential area.

Sure the high school kids are more verse and know more today than long ago, but that doesn't mean they need to have it shoved in their faces on the way to school.

This isn't a topic that should be brought up by two strangers on a side walk, and sex isn't something that should be the school's resposibility to teach. Personally, I'm pro-life, but I wouldn't condemn a person for getting an abortion; it's something they will have to live and deal with for the rest of their lives.
However, there's plenty of students that haven't even thought about sex, that have their focus on education and just enjoying their childhood. I don't think it was quite appropriate to be demostrating something like that at a high school; maybe at a college, but not at a school where there's children.

I was there and they did attempt to hand out papers to students walking in. How is that not school property if it is between they yellow school zone signs? A 14 year trying to go to school to learn should not have to see that, its disgraceful.