Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley is planning to be in Washington as the U.S. Supreme Court hears a challenge to the state’s law that creates a protest-free zone around women’s health clinics that perform abortions.
The law creates a 35-foot protest zone around clinic entrances and driveways.
Abortion opponents say that infringes on their free speech and makes it difficult for them to discuss alternatives to abortion with clinic patients. They sued over their access to Planned Parenthood health clinics in Springfield, Worcester and Boston.
The attorney general’s office says the statute protects public safety and access to the clinics, which also perform other women’s health services.
Coakley says she will speak to reporters Wednesday morning after the case is argued by Assistant Attorney General Jennifer Grace Miller.