Supreme Court Agrees To Review Abortion Clinic Buffer Zone Law

The U.S. Supreme Court today granted certiorari in McCullen v. Coakley, (Docket No. 12-1168, cert. granted 6/24/2013) (Order List). In the case, the 1st Circuit (full text of 1st Circuit opinion) upheld a Massachusetts law that creates a 35-foot buffer zone around reproductive health care facilities from which demonstrators and sidewalk counselors are excluded. Only employees , emergency workers, persons passing by to other places and persons going to and from the facility are permitted. The Boston Globe reports on the Court's decision to review the case.