Aakhus

Appellants/defendants Operation Rescue of Southern California (ORSC) and Greg Aakhus, Anna and Riccardo Lemos, and Garvan Kuskey (Aakhus) challenge the trial court’s order awarding respondent/plaintiff Planned Parenthood of Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo Counties, Inc., attorney fees in the amount of $36,365 pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 1021.5. We affirm.

Facts

Respondent provides medical counseling and services, and when appropriate, performs abortions on its premises.

Beginning in 1989, appellants engaged in confrontational conduct at respondent’s Santa Barbara clinic. They chased and obstructed the movement of vehicles of clinic patrons entering and leaving respondent’s parking lot, and attempted to force anti-abortion literature and fetus dolls through the patrons’ car windows. Appellants also chased, insulted and threatened, and photographed and videotaped respondent’s patrons as they entered respondent’s premises. They also entered respondent’s building to convey their feelings to persons inside.

Respondent obtained an injunction in a federal action prohibiting trespasses upon its property by anti-abortion demonstrators. Respondent…