WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)–A U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down a Massachusetts law establishing a 35-foot protest-free buffer zone around abortion facilities drew comment from three Jewish Democratic women in Congress.
U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-California) said: “It is distressing that the Supreme Court struck down an important Massachusetts law that protected women from violence and intimidation, but it is still a crime to harm, threaten or obstruct women as they enter clinics.
“Because the Supreme Court makes clear that women entering clinics have a right to be protected, I will work to find every possible tool to do just that.”
She noted that she had helped lead the fight to pass the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, which makes it a federal crime to use force, the threat of force, or physical obstruction to prevent individuals from obtaining or providing reproductive health services.
Congresswoman Lois Frankel (D-Florida) said: “From bomb threats to arson, the history of violence carried out against clinics by anti-choice advocates is well-documented – threatening the lives of both providers and the women seeking medical care. Now states, and the federal government, need to re-double their efforts to keep women and providers safe.
Frankel noted that in 2005, while she was serving as mayor of West Palm Beach, a fire ravaged the Presidential Women’s Center in West Palm Beach.
Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Illinois) said: “I am extremely disappointed that today the Supreme Court limited Massachusetts’ ability to protect women from assault through the use of fixed buffer zones. Buffer zones are vital for ensuring that women can safely access the full range of reproductive health services. Despite overturning Massachusetts’ law the Supreme Court made clear that states and the federal government have the right to protect people who access reproductive health clinics. While this decision outlaws Massachusetts’ fixed 35-foot buffer zone, it did not outlaw buffer zones. That includes buffer zones like the Chicago ordinance that creates an 8-foot ‘bubble zone’ around people who are within 50 feet of a medical facility.
“I believe states and Congress must take action to protect women and providers that comply with today’s court decision. Since 1977, 8 murders, 17 attempted murders, 42 bombings, and 100 acid attacks have been undertaken by abortion opponents to stop women from accessing this constitutionally-protected health care service. I will continue to work with my colleagues and advocates to protect women and providers from such harassment and violence. “
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Preceding provided by Senator Boxer and Representatives Frankel and Schakowsky … Articles in San Diego Jewish World on Jewish Democratic women in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives are sponsored by Laura Galinson in memory of her father, Murray Galinson.