Posted on 01/23/2008 3:37:50 PM PST by wagglebee
BOSTON, January 22, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed a lawsuit in federal court Friday against a new Massachusetts law that creates a 35-foot "buffer" zone around abortion clinics. The law essentially eliminates free speech rights within the zone by restricting pro-life advocates from sharing their message with people entering the clinics.
"Pro-life advocates shouldn't be penalized for expressing their beliefs," said ADF-allied attorney and lead counsel Michael DePrimo. "The buffer law is breathtaking in its scope. It obviously was designed and intended to squelch pro-life speech, but it prohibits much more, such as labor picketing and charitable solicitations. The First Amendment simply does not permit such outlandish restrictions on peaceful speech."
"It's ironic that Massachusetts, the 'cradle of liberty,' would pass a law that effectively creates a First Amendment-free zone that silences those who seek to share the truth about abortion," said ADF Legal Counsel Tim Chandler. "Those with pro-life views have the same First Amendment rights as anyone else in America."
On Nov. 13, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick signed into law S.B. 1353, which created the "buffer" zone. First-time violators face a fine of up to $500 and three months in jail. Repeat offenders face fines of up to $5,000 and 2 1/2 years in prison.
ADF attorneys filed suit on behalf of several pro-life advocates whose ability to communicate peacefully with people entering the clinics has been severely compromised by the new law. In some instances, the new law leaves only about one foot of public sidewalk open to free speech, making it virtually impossible to engage in reasoned conversation.
According to the pro-life advocates filing suit, more than 100 women have changed their minds about having an abortion after hearing their message.
A copy of the complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Boston Division, in McCullen v. Coakley is available at: http://www.telladf.org/UserDocs/McCullenComplaint.pdf
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Basically the case ~ but remember, there’ve always been those who thought they could destroy ideas by prohibiting speech. The fascist clique currently running Massachusetts is organized around that principle.
The flip side of “Free Speech Zones”.
How bizarre is it that various governments in this country provide the kind of "protection" to abortion mills that they wouldn't even think of providing for a U.S. military base?
Yep, or a recruiters office...
The scenarios you describe are EXTREMELY RARE; however, you wouldn’t know it because of the way the media reports it. The reality is that most pro-lifers who are “protesting” outside these clinics are simply showing these women and girls compassion and offering alternatives to a lifetime of guilt.
Stalking, terroristic threats, and bombing are all illegal. How is any of this addressed by having a 35-ft. zone blocking speech? Please explain.
This is not Constitutional. It’s called a ‘bubble zone’ in which there is no right to free speech. The political parties always try to have such a zone set up around their conventions, and it’s always turned down. (For security reasons, though, demonstrators may be kept at a distance.)
However, since abortion is the most sacred ritual of the establishment, I wouldn’t be surprised if the SCOTUS justices
(the same ones who approved of limiting free speech in McCain-Feingold) also approve of this further trimming of our constitutional rights.
Oh, I forgot the meanie democrats help a gun to his head.
Standing outside an abortion clinic holding a sign is quite an experience....
(could write several heart wrenching paragraphs here)
One already has to be careful not to stop on the sidewalk to avoid loitering laws...so one basically just marches back and forth on the sidewalk : ).
I have been to one clinic a few times where there where police with baracades preventing protesters from getting close to the door.
All the clinics I have ever been to the protesters are the nicest people you would ever meet.
Are you certain that you aren’t confusing Operation Rescue with Army of God?
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