Challenge filed to abortion clinic buffer zones

January 18, 2008 05:44 PM Email| Comments (0)| Text size – +

By Globe Staff

Antiabortion activists have filed a federal court challenge to a new state law that expanded the buffer zone surrounding abortion clinics, saying that the 35-foot zone violates their free speech and other rights.

The law is "an unconstitutional regulation designed and intended to ban virtually all citizens from engaging in fundamental rights and liberties on significant portions of public sidewalks, and streets" adjacent to abortion clinics, the lawsuit filed Wednesday said.

Antiabortion activists station themselves outside abortion clinics. They say their goal is to offer advice to women considering abortions. Abortion-rights proponents say they go too far, harassing people.

"Our perspective is: we're talking about lives at stake," said Bill Cotter, president of Operation Rescue: Boston. Several people active in the group are among the plaintiffs in the case.

A spokesman for the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts defended the new law.

"This law strikes the appropriate balance between free speech and the right to access health services free from violence, harassment, and intimidation," said Angus McQuilken, vice president of public affairs for the group.

The old law, enacted in 2000, said that, within an 18-foot radius of a clinic entrance, protesters must stay at least six feet away from patients unless the individual consents to a closer encounter. The new law bars protesters from coming closer than 35 feet from the entrance.

"We just feel that in this case, the Legislature's gone too far," said Philip D. Moran, the Salem attorney representing the five plaintiffs in the case.