Breaking: SCOTUS strikes down Massachusetts’ buffer zone law

The Supreme Court ruled today that Massachusetts’ abortion buffer zone law, which requires anti-choice activists harassers to stay 35 feet away from clinic entrances, violates their freedom of speech. SCOTUS issued their decision from within their own comfy buffer zone that keeps picketers outside their 252-by-98-foot plaza.

The fact that buffer zones are even necessary to ensure people have safe access to a legal, medical procedure is absurd, but that’s the world we live in. A survey by the National Abortion Federation found that 90 percent of clinics were concerned about the safety of patients and staff entering their facilities, 51 percent of clinics in areas with buffer zones reported a decrease in criminal activity after the policy was enacted, and 75 percent of them said it helped improve patients’ and staff members’ ability to access the clinic.

But, hey, freedom of speech is important too. So what exactly is this speech that must be protected at the expense of patient safety, dignity, and comfort? Well, clinic escort Michelle Kinsey Bruns is tweeting some of the “speech” she’s witnessed from so-called pro-life “sidewalk counselors” outside clinics in eight states over the last few years. 

Clinic bully: “I should firebomb this place!” #notcounseling

— ClinicEscort (@ClinicEscort) June 26, 2014

Clinic bullies waiting outside clinic AFTER procedures just to taunt—”Remember June 26 2014 is the day you killed your baby.” #notcounseling

— ClinicEscort (@ClinicEscort) June 26, 2014

Clinic bullies throwing plastic fetuses at patients from the public sidewalk 15 feet from the door. #notcounseling

— ClinicEscort (@ClinicEscort) June 26, 2014

Clinic bullies wearing neon vests exactly like the clinic escorts do, to trick patients into thinking they aren’t harassers. #notcounseling

— ClinicEscort (@ClinicEscort) June 26, 2014

Clinic bullies posted by our drive a big sign saying CLOSED. Almost-invisible letters above said “hopefully;” below “soon.” #notcounseling

— ClinicEscort (@ClinicEscort) June 26, 2014

Clinic bullies pointing camcorder on a tripod at the clinic door, erecting it prominently by the driveway as a clear threat. #notcounseling

— ClinicEscort (@ClinicEscort) June 26, 2014

Clinic bullies chalking colorful drawings of guns on the sidewalk outside the clinic. #notcounseling

— ClinicEscort (@ClinicEscort) June 26, 2014

Clinic bullies protesting at the homes of my clinics’ doctors and administrators with signs saying “A Murderer Lives Here.” #notcounseling

— ClinicEscort (@ClinicEscort) June 26, 2014

Clinic bullies kicking women. Clinic bullies kicking pregnant women. Because SUPER DUPER EXTRA PRO-LIFE. #notcounseling

— ClinicEscort (@ClinicEscort) June 26, 2014

Clinic bullies sending minions to covertly take photos of escorts at close range (except they’re not good at being covert). #notcounseling

— ClinicEscort (@ClinicEscort) June 26, 2014

Maya thinks that sounds suspiciously like harassment.