Will Supreme Court Uphold Freedom of Speech for Pro-Life Advocates?

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Life Legal Defense Foundation Says Massachusetts is Grasping at Straws to Defend Abortion "Bubble Zone"

Contact: Tom Ciesielka, 312-422-1333, tc@tcpr.net

WASHINGTON, Jan. 14, 2014 /Christian Newswire/ -- Wednesday, January 15, the Supreme Court of the United States will hear oral arguments in in McCullen v. Coakley, a case that could even the playing field for pro-life advocates. Life Legal Defense Foundation has filed an amici curiae brief in this case challenging a Massachusetts law that creates a 35-foot "bubble zone" around abortion clinic entrances.

Dana Cody, President and Executive Director of Life Legal Defense Foundation, examines Massachusetts' defense of the ban on pro-life speech outside of abortion facilities:

Massachusetts says the law is necessary to stop "rampant lawlessness" by pro-life advocates on public sidewalks. The cited "lawlessness" involves isolated acts committed decades ago by a mentally deranged individual.
A less extreme "bubble zone" upheld by the Court in Hill v. Colorado was decided by a 6 to 3 vote. Because the Court's make up has changed, votes from only two of four new justices could decide to reduce "bubble zone" restrictions on pro-life free speech.
Massachusetts claims it is dangerous for pro-life advocates to stand near driveways. The State argues that leafleting is incompatible with modern vehicular traffic. Cody notes that Massachusetts has made no move to ban this "dangerous" activity elsewhere.

"It's time for the Supreme Court to put an end to these perverse attempts to silence pro-life speakers," concluded Cody. "Massachusetts is grasping at straws and its 'bubble zone' law flies in the face of the very notion of Freedom of Speech."

Read more about Massachusetts's arguments against allowing pro-life advocates' free speech outside of abortion facilities HERE.

Read more about abortion facility exceptions to free speech HERE.

Read Life Legal Defense Foundation's amici curiae brief filed in the Supreme Court of the United States HERE.

About Life Legal Defense Foundation
Life Legal Defense Foundation was established in 1989, and is a nonprofit organization composed of attorneys and other concerned citizens, committed to giving helpless and innocent human beings of any age, and their advocates, a trained and committed voice in the courtrooms of our nation. For more information about the Life Legal Defense Foundation, visit www.lldf.org.