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It was quiet Tuesday outside a Greenwich Village clinic abortion clinic, but on weekends there can be up to 70 protesters crowding the sidewalks, pressing pamphlets into women's hands, urging them to reconsider their decision.

Clinics say anti-abortion protesters routinely intimidate patients.

On Tuesday, the City Council considered a bill sponsored by Speaker Christine Quinn that would make it easier for city clinics to crack down on protesters who harass patients and block their paths.

“They’re violating your personal space. They’re screaming at you. They’re yelling the word ‘murderer’ in your face and making it difficult for you to enter the clinic or the building where the clinic is,” said Quinn.

Access to clinics has been an issue for years. In Wichita, Kan., a doctor was shot and had his clinic was bombed.

Currently, it's nearly impossible in New York City to arrest a protester without the cooperation of the woman entering the facility. The new bill would give more weight to complaints of clinic employees or other witnesses.

“What this new bill does is make sure law enforcement can prosecute these cases,” said Karen Agnifilo, the counsel to the city criminal justice coordinator. “Same exact facts as before, they can prosecute them without, in many instances, the need of the testimony, cooperation, pressing charges… of the individual who is seeking the reproductive health care services. That’s the hurdle that it’s removing.”

Those against the bill say protesters are not there to harass women, but to counsel them and offer information about other choices.

Steven McDonald, a well-known New York police detective who was shot in 1986, says he is concerned the bill is so vague that his work outside clinics could be viewed as a crime.

“We should have a way to say to them, there's a different way,” said McDonald. “You don't have to abort your baby. You can save your baby and live a productive life. If that's what they are looking to take away, then I strongly disagree with that.”

The hearing grew tense when two council members began sparring over whether the legislation would have an effect on the First Amendment rights of protesters.

Despite heated exchanges during the hearing, the bill has overwhelming support from the council and from the mayor's office, making its passage all but certain.