Massachusetts bill limiting protests at abortion clinics goes to governor

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Massachusetts bill limiting protests at abortion clinics goes to governor

By Elizabeth Barber BOSTON (Reuters) - A bill to limit demonstrations around Massachusetts abortion clinics passed the state's House of Representatives on Wednesday and headed to Governor Deval Patrick. Patrick, a Democrat, called for new measures after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled last month that a 2007 state law barring protesters from coming within 35 feet (11 meters) of reproductive health facilities violated abortion opponents’ right to free speech. "We are confident that this new set of tools to help us protect women does not infringe on anyone's First Amendment rights," said Martha Coakley, the state's attorney general and a Democratic candidate for governor, in a recent interview. "We are only responding to behavior that crosses a line." The measure, which passed the House 116-35, would empower police to issue a dispersal order against anyone found to be blocking access to abortion clinics.

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