Policy Order O-21

WHEREAS: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the City of Cambridge have long supported women's rights and have been on the forefront of protecting women's rights especially a woman's right to choose; and

WHEREAS: In 2007 Massachusetts became the only state in the country to pass a law creating 35 foot buffer zones in front of abortion clinics to quell aggressive demonstrations that have congested sidewalks and to prevent harm to individuals entering clinics; and

WHEREAS: Supreme Court of the United States is currently reviewing the case of

WHEREAS: The law was enacted after years of violence, chaos, and threats surrounding the entrances to clinics and with the goal to protect individuals from harm, their privacy, and allowing access to clinics; and

WHEREAS: Massachusetts has had a past history of public safety concerns at clinics including an incident in 1994 where two individuals were shot and killed at a Planned Parenthood clinic; now therefore be it

ORDERED: The City Council go on record urging the Supreme Court of the United States to uphold the Massachusetts Buffer Zone law which ensures safety and privacy and protects the lives of women and clinic workers; and be it further

ORDERED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to the Supreme Court of the United States on behalf of the entire City Council.