Press Room

Media Coverage

Explore interviews, reviews, festival coverage, and media resources.

YES! Weekly
RiverRun International Film Festival Reviews

Review
"Human Shield is the kind of film that inspires and invites debate, for all the right reasons."

The Thread
Life as a Human Shield

Interview
"I just started talking to escorts all over the country, and learning more about what they go through." Persley said, "And then essentually I was like, "Oh this has to be a documentary."

Film Inquiry
HUMAN SHIELD Director Erin Persley on Curiosity, Compassion, and Documenting Clinic Escorting

Interview
"Curiosity may have been the entry point, but what remains is presence; a willingness to listen first, and to make visible what has long been standing quietly in plain sight. I saw those workers, and you should too. Human Shield is one that deserves to be seen."

Film Inquiry
Human Shield: Where Compassion shows up

Review
"At its core, what makes Human Shield so impactful is its compassion. This is a story about humanity: about choosing to stand with others when support is needed most. That kind of empathy feels increasingly rare, and this film acts as a reminder of what’s possible when we lead with care."

Cardinal & Pine
Inside ‘Human Shield,’ the documentary that chronicles abortion clinic escorts in NC and the US

Interview
"While North Carolina has become both a refuge for out-of-state patients and a target for new restrictions, “Human Shield” asks what it would mean for more people to do what McLain does: “Be there unapologetically with no shame for others.”"

Broke Ass Stuart
S.F. DocFest Hits The Quarter Century Mark

Festival Feature
"When does a 30-second walk become emotionally exhausting? When the walk is done through a hostile mob of anti-abortion protesters. Erin Persley’s “Human Shield" is an intimate portrait of three abortion clinic escort leaders who do all they can to protect the safety of vulnerable patients seeking abortions.?

Beyond Chron
More Reviews From S.F. DocFest 2026 and Frameline 50

Review
"“Human Shield” doesn’t gloss over the unfortunate realities of clinic escort work."

Electronic Press Kit

Our Electronic Press Kit includes:

  • the film synopsis
  • director’s statement
  • production notes
  • filmmaker bios
  • high-resolution stills
  • poster artwork
  • press contact information

Check Out Audience Reviews

See what viewers are saying about the Film