Supreme Court unanimously strikes down Massachusetts buffer zone

A limited decision; some members of the Court wanted to go further.

Court strikes down abortion clinic buffer zones

Massachusetts asserts “undeniably significant interests in maintaining public safety on [its] streets and sidewalks, as well as in preserving access to adjacent healthcare facilities,” Roberts wrote. “But here the commonwealth has pursued those interests by the extreme step of closing a substantial portion of a traditional public forum to all speakers.”

Significantly, only the court’s liberals joined Roberts’ opinion. The court’s four conservatives agreed the law violated the First Amendment but said Roberts had not gone far enough in finding the law discriminated against those opposed to abortion.

“Today’s opinion carries forward this court’s practice of giving abortion-rights advocates a pass when it comes to suppressing the free-speech rights of their opponents,” wrote Justice Antonin Scalia in an opinion joined by Justices Anthony M. Kennedy and Clarence Thomas. “There is an entirely separate, abridged edition of the First Amendment applicable to speech against abortion.”

UPDATE: Press Release from American Life League (ALL)

American Life League President Judie Brown Reacts to 'McCullen v. Coakley' Decision

"Today's unanimous decision of the United States Supreme Court, striking down the buffer zone law in Massachusetts, is a victory for free speech in America," said Judie Brown, president of American Life League, in reaction to the decision reached in McCullen v. Coakley.

 

"The abortion industry in the United States thrives because it continually lies to women," Brown continued. "Pro-lifers in the streets outside of abortion facilities are amazed at the lies related to them by hurting mothers who are on their way to kill their child. Sidewalk counselors are able to change minds and hearts by simply offering help to women in crisis situations."

 

"Buffer zones like the one in Massachusetts," Brown said, "come from desperate abortionists trying to protect their businesses and their income by restricting the First Amendment rights of peaceful, prayerful people-whose only goal is to help the mother and save the child from a gruesome death. We applaud this unanimous decision."

Comments

[jenny muto]

justice scalia said it "right on the mark."

[tom faranda]

Scalia nailed it; but it's still a huge step in the right direction. And unanimous!

[Eileen Peterson]

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow!