Two women stand vigil to "end abortion" at the Concord, Calif. Planned Parenthood on Friday, Oct. 16, 2020. As part of a fall campaign organized by 40 Days for Life, more than 500 such vigils are being held at abortion clinics between Sept. 23 and Nov. 1, 2020.
Misdemeanor charges have been filed against two private security guards in connection with a protest last year outside the Planned Parenthood clinic in Walnut Creek, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office announced.
The charges stem from a protest last Oct. 13 by the group 40 Days for Life outside the clinic that was also attended by counter protesters supporting Planned Parenthood.
According to the District Attorney’s Office, Ishatpal Momi, 27, of Elk Grove, and Peter Reeves, 45, of Sacramento, were private guards hired by 40 Days for Life for security at the protest, and when the two sides got into a confrontation, they discharged their pepper spray canister at the opposing group.
They again used the cannisters minutes later as more counter protesters arrived, the District Attorney’s Office said, spraying four people in all.
The office said the pepper spray canisters used by Momi and Reeves were too large and violated state law, which only allows canisters of 2.5 ounces or smaller to be carried or used legally, officials said.
After a review of the case Senior Deputy District Attorney Simon O’Connell filed charges against Momi and Reeves for battery and illegal possession of tear gas, the office said.
Last modified April 11, 2021 12:14 pm
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