Supreme Court upholds abortion clinic buffer zones amid opposition

In the United States, on February 24, 2025, the Supreme Court declined to review appeals seeking to overturn a long-standing precedent concerning buffer zones around abortion clinics. Specifically, the cases revolved around laws that restrict protesters from approaching individuals within a designated vicinity of healthcare facilities, which has been a contentious issue since the 2000 decision in Hill v. Colorado. These buffer zones were originally implemented to protect patients and staff from harassment and intimidation, particularly following incidents of violence associated with anti-abortion protests. The latest appeals, brought forth by anti-abortion groups, contend that such measures infringe upon their free speech rights under the First Amendment, especially after the controversial decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which rolled back abortion rights in the U.S. The Supreme Court, despite having a conservative majority that is generally not supportive of abortion rights, opted not to revisit this precedent, highlighting the ongoing legal and social debates surrounding abortion in America. The decisions in both Carbondale, Illinois and Englewood, New Jersey reflect local attempts to manage protest activity outside clinics, amidst an increase in demonstrations following the Dobbs ruling. While the court’s refusal to reconsider these buffer zones was seen as a setback for anti-abortion advocates, the established law remains in place, serving as a boundary for protest activities aimed at clinic entrances across the country.