{"id":211735,"date":"2019-10-06T08:35:22","date_gmt":"2019-10-06T13:35:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.liveaction.org\/news\/?p=211735"},"modified":"2019-10-05T23:00:31","modified_gmt":"2019-10-06T04:00:31","slug":"jackson-buffer-zones-pro-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archive.liveaction.org\/news\/jackson-buffer-zones-pro-life\/","title":{"rendered":"City of Jackson puts buffer zones in place to silence pro-life protesters"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The city council of Jackson, Mississippi voted 3-1 to enact 15-foot \u201cbuffer zones\u201d around all medical facilities, including abortion facilities, where police will also be required to enforce restrictions on noise, such as \u201cshouting.\u201d<\/p>\n

Although the buffer zones are supposedly intended to apply to any health facility in the area, there is broad consensus<\/a> that the law is actually aimed at pro-lifers protesting outside the Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the state\u2019s only abortion facility. Supporters of the law claim<\/a> it gives women \u201cpersonal space,” but opponents point out that such buffer zones are an unconstitutional violation of free speech on a public sidewalk, and that it would hinder pro-lifers from peaceably praying with and for women entering the clinic.<\/p>\n

The ordinance<\/a> passed after a heated debate, where supporters — including Commissioner of Agriculture Andy Gibson<\/a>, who posted about the ordinance\u2019s passing — as well as opponents came out to voice their opinions about the intended ordinance.<\/p>\n

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It\u2019s a very sad day that a majority of the Jackson City Council has voted to restrict the free speech of peaceful sidewalk counselors near the State\u2019s only abortion clinic. I appreciate those who opposed this unnecessary ordinance.<\/p>\n

— Commissioner Andy Gipson (@CommAndyGipson) October 1, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n