Supreme Court To Consider Letting Protesters Near Abortion Clinics

[Purveyor]

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear a challenge to a Massachusetts law that prevents anti-abortion demonstrators from standing within 35 feet of abortion clinics, which was passed to prevent harassment of clinics’ staff and patients.

Justices said Monday they will consider whether the law infringes upon free speech. The ban on demonstrations was previously upheld by a Boston-area appeals court in McCullen v. Coakley, which cited the Supreme Court’s decision in Hill v. Colorado. That ruling permitted the state to restrict demonstrations within eight feet of health care facilities.

It’s not clear when the ruling might come down, but the court’s next term begins in October.

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/06/24/supreme-court-to-consider-letting-protesters-near-abortion-clinics/

[kestrel91316]

1. I thought they already decided the legality of "free speech zones".

[Just Saying]

2. I love the 1st amendment

But I can't understand for the life of me why it's okay to harass women going into health clinics. Don't we have any rights?

I feel like if men were being screamed at going to see a doctor this bullshit would never be allowed to go on.

Not to mention there have been members of these "prolife" groups that were crazy and violent.

[winterpark]

3. Ditto. Isn't there some kind of privacy issue that can be argued here? At least something

with Hippa? Couldn't they extend the argument that with technology today, these women are in danger of being identified and publicly harrassed not to mention possibly harrassed at their homes?

Why oh why does this country think that women should not be able to regulate their own bodies? It saddens me beyond belief to see what all these states are doing to the women of our country. All in the name of religion. Fuck your religion, don't foist it on me!

[cynatnite]

4. HIPPA does not apply...

It applies to covered entities and any part of medical records and payment history.

[Recursion]

5. I remember passing those guys on Comm Ave as I walked from Allston to class

Expand it to 60' and they'll be standing on the Green Line tracks. Problem solved.

[KamaAina]

8. Are you out of your mind?

Do you have any idea how much paperwork the carman would have to fill out if he hit an anti? Not to mention the delays while they hosed the antis off the tracks.

[Recursion]

9. If it's the B line I remember, he can just text it while driving

Or, as we tend to joke at BU, "nothing stops a train like a Terrier". At-grade light rail is a horrible idea...

[Initech]

6. This will end well.

[Greybnk48]

7. So, how do "stand your ground laws" play

into all of this? LOL! Armed guards on the property's periphery, and shoot anyone who looks threatening?