July 9, 2009 Appeals Court upholds Mass. abortion buffer zones

BOSTON (AP) - A federal appeals court has upheld Massachusetts' abortion buffer zone law.

The 2007 law creates 35-foot protest-free zones around the entrances and driveways of clinics that offer reproductive services.

Abortion protesters who filed the lawsuit last year said the buffer zones infringed on their First Amendment right to free speech.

Attorney General Martha Coakley's office defended the law, saying it enhanced public safety and clinic access, while still guaranteeing people's right to express their opinions near the clinics.

Philip Moran, the lawyer representing the protesters, said he was disappointed with the decision and plans to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The ruling Wednesday by the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upholds a lower court that also rejected the plaintiff's claims.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)