Friday, January 17, 2014
Questioning the Line
The U.S. Supreme Court began hearing arguments Wednesday,
January 15, 2014 in a case questioning the constitutionality of buffer zones at
abortion clinics.
The case seeks to answer two questions. First, does the
Massachusetts buffer zone law push the limits, or is it permitted under the
court's 2000 ruling allowing some buffer zones? Next, should the court reverse
the 2000 decision completely? This prior decision allowed Colorado to enact speech-related
restrictions using a 100-foot barrier adjacent to healthcare facilities; a
definitively more conservative court is hearing today’s case.
Massachusetts’s law currently utilizes a yellow line,
painted 35 feet from the entrance to a reproductive health care facility. Anyone
who remains standing within the line is asked to move beyond it. At the MWPC,
we see this limitation on protester speech as acceptable and beneficial for all
parties.
The buffer zones in Massachusetts allow women to inquire
about their health, seek guidance, and obtain treatment without the fear of physical
harassment. “State officials and clinic
employees say patients and staff feel safer and find it easier to enter the
clinics [because of the buffer zones].” The buffer zones still allow protesters
to attempt to persuade women arriving at the clinic; it does not take away the
voice of the protester but rather limits it in acceptable time, place, and
manner.
The MWPC will always stand by the legislative rights of
women to pursue proper healthcare. Please join us.
“Supreme Court Considers Legality Of Abortion Clinic Buffer
Zones”
“U.S. Supreme Court Skeptical Of Massachusetts Buffer Zone
Law”
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2014/01/15/massachusetts-buffer-zone-law-to-be-challenged-at-u-s-supreme-court
Brittany Straughn
