Appellate Court Says 2 Protection Zones, 1 Too Many

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals has told the city of Pittsburgh: "pick one," either a 15 foot buffer at the entrance of women's health clinics, or an 8 foot personal bubble around people approaching the facilities.
The 2005 ordinance established the fixed buffer by clinic entrances and the 8 foot personal bubble took effect once a person expressed no interest in speaking with a protester.
Mary Brown of Indiana Township filed suit in 2006 saying the the combination of the 2 zones infringed upon her rights. Third Circuit Chief Judge Anthony Scirica wrote "although the ordinance serves important government interests, we believe the layering of two types of prophylactic measures is substantially broader than necessary."
An attorney for the Alliance Defense Fund, which represents Brown, said the Pittsburgh ordinance goes too far in restricting free speech.
Rebecca Cavanaugh, vice president of Planned Parenthood, says they are dismayed that they lost some protections for their clients..."we're grateful that the ruling upheld one of the buffer zones and we are looking forward to how we can insure the safety and privacy of the patients we will serve in the future."
Cavanaugh says they will advise city officials on how to proceed on which to choose...fixed buffer or personal bubble. That case will return to U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh.