A bubble zone enacted around the new site of a Vancouver abortion clinic was occupied last night by protesters.

Police allowed the protest within the zone, which was implemented under the Access to Abortions Services Act by an order-in-council signed earlier Thursday.

The law was enacted after Dr. Garson Romalis — the abortion provider stabbed in the back in the lobby of his clinic on July 11 — was shot in 1994.

It provides a zone of security around buildings where abortions are performed, and also around the homes of doctors who perform them.

The Elizabeth Bagshaw abortion clinic hasn't even moved into the building yet, and that has some complaining that the law is being misused here.

Fewer than 20 protesters showed up Thursday night, saying they were protesting clinical trials of the French abortion pill RU-486. Dr. Ellen Wiebe started clinical trials of the drug last month.

She received a death threat the day after Romalis was attacked.

The civil liberties association said the zone around the new clinic is unnecessary because the building is not a free-standing clinic. They say protesters are unlikely to target the many people entering and leaving not involved with the clinic.

Police decided to allow the protest inside the restricted zone as most people who work in the building had already gone home, and the demonstration was peaceful.