Residents of a housing complex in View Royal are becoming increasingly frustrated with weekly abortion vigil just steps from their front doors.

At least three residents of the converted motel at the intersection of Island Highway and Helmcken Road said theyB次元官网网址檙e tired of having the protestors out on what feels like their front yard.

The protestors are there because of the nearby Vancouver Island WomenB次元官网网址檚 Clinic in View Royal Square, which performs abortions, among other sexual health services.

The 40 Days for Life protestors are there with signs to pray and talk to anyone who approaches them every Thursday morning.

Every year, the group also holds two 40-days vigils in which protestors march for 12 hours each day.

Most of the old motelB次元官网网址檚 residents have no backdoor and their front door opens directly into their living area. Because the protestors are so close it feels like theyB次元官网网址檙e peering in on the residentsB次元官网网址� private lives.

B次元官网网址淓nough is enough. Any kind of protest, you make your statement and you go away,B次元官网网址� resident Janice Roberts said. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 no respect for anybody but them.B次元官网网址�

Hale Harlingten lives in the corner unit, his front door about six metres from where the protestors stand.

B次元官网网址淚 have a small place. TheyB次元官网网址檙e in front of it. The whole worldB次元官网网址檚 looking at me and I just want a little bit of peace and quiet to come out here and sit,B次元官网网址� Harlingten said. B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檝e been there long enough now that I think every car in the city has gone by the corner and knows their opinion. The only purpose they can be there for is to cause a disturbance. So we get upset.B次元官网网址�

The campaign co-ordinator for 40 Days for Life, Alex Berns, said his group has had previous altercations with residents B次元官网网址� Roberts in particular.

B次元官网网址�(Roberts) has had several conversations with our members, all of them highly spirited,B次元官网网址� Berns said. B次元官网网址淲herever she has been and what makes her the way she is today, we include her in our prayers too.B次元官网网址�

Last Thursday, the tension got to a point where a small altercation took place.

As Berns took a walk, which he said he often does to ease back pain, he went around the corner down the Island Highway where he said Roberts approached him.

She said she asked him to leave and stood her ground. They bumped each other B次元官网网址� both claim the other person was at fault. Neither was injured.

However, Berns called the police, believing the altercation to be a form of harassment.

RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Max Fossum said itB次元官网网址檚 unlikely police will recommend charges.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 one word against the other word really,B次元官网网址� Fossum said.

Fossum said the protestors have a right to be there unless View Royal says otherwise.

There have been some minor incidents in the past involving the protest, but nothing major, Fossum added.

View Royal chief administrative officer Kim Anema said there is little the town can do to remove the vigil unless they are disrupting traffic or causing a safety hazard. Even with complaints from residents, the protestors have a protected right to protest so long as they stick to the rules.

Anema said he understands the concerns surrounding the vigil and View Royal will continue to monitor the situation.

Berns said his group is there to protest abortions and to talk to people about the dangers of post-abortive trauma and depression. The protestors say they have been subjected to harassment in the past. One morning they arrived at their usual spot to find a pumpkin with a coat hanger stuck in it.

Another morning a coat hangar had been hung from a signpost behind where they stand. Recently they have arrived to find eggs smashed on the ground and ketchup spread around. The residents of the housing complex said they know nothing about those incidents. They plan to send a complaint in writing to View Royal council.

Vancouver Island WomenB次元官网网址檚 Clinic did not wish to comment. The next 40-day vigil starts Sept. 26.

kwells@goldstreamgazette.com