A federal appeals court has ordered Clearwater, Florida, to halt enforcement of a city ordinance that created a pedestrian buffer zone outside an abortion clinic, ruling that the measure likely violates the First Amendment.Passed in 2023, the rule created a vehicular safety zone that bars anyone from using a stretch of sidewalk within five feet of the driveway at Bread and Roses Women’s Health Center during business hours. City officials say they put the zone in place to improve patient safety and reduce traffic concerns.
Florida Preborn Rescue, Inc., along with four sidewalk counselors, had challenged the ordinance, arguing that it kept them from offering peaceful guidance on a public walkway.
Tyler Brooks, senior counsel for Thomas More Society, who represents the plaintiffs, had argued on filing the suit,
“This buffer zone is clearly discriminatory and meant to stifle pro-life speech. It was instituted by the Clearwater city council for the express purpose of limiting the speech and activities of life advocates taking place outside of the deceptively genteel looking Bread and Roses abortion facility.”