Mississippi city tries to limit noise near abortion clinic
Source: Associated Press
Emily Wagster Pettus, Associated Press
Updated 7:07 pm CDT, Thursday, October 3, 2019
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Noisy conflict is common outside Mississippi’s only abortion clinic, with protesters sometimes using bullhorns to amplify their voices and the clinic itself blaring music to keep patients from hearing the protesters.
Owners of nearby businesses say the commotion is a headache for their customers who want to enjoy a meal or buy some clothes.
In response, the Jackson City Council voted 3-1 Tuesday to enact a local law limiting amplified sound outside health care facilities and creating buffer zones to move protesters further from the entrances. The law is set to take effect in about a month, and opponents say it unconstitutionally limits their right to free speech. A court challenge is likely.
The council vote came days before a federal appeals court was set to hear arguments over a 2018 Mississippi law that would ban most abortions after 15 weeks.
Read more: https://www.chron.com/news/medical/article/Mississippi-city-tries-to-limit-noise-near-14488657.php
