Abortion buffer zones: next on Faith on Trial

Tuesday we will be joined by Catherine Short, legal director for Life Legal Defense Foundation, a California-based public interest law firm providing legal services for the pro-life cause.  She will be discussing the recent oral arguments in the United States Supreme Court over Massachusetts buffer-zone law.

Catherine Short

That law prohibits anyone not connected with an abortion clinic from entering within thirty-five feet of the clinic’s entrance.

The law was challenged and the appeals court held that the law was not overly broad or vague, and thus ruled that it was not an unlawful restraint on protected speech. Pro-life advocates appealed to the Supreme Court of the United States, and the Supreme Court heard the matter in January. A description of the case can be found here.

Catherine works with our frequent guest, Dana Cody, president of the Life Legal Defense Foundation.  She began her pro-life career as a sidewalk counselor outside an abortion clinic. Over the next few years, her efforts turned to using her legal training to protect the rights of other pro-life activists, including rescuers, sidewalk counselors, and crisis pregnancy centers. In 1989, she participated in establishing Life Legal Defense Foundation, which she now serves as legal director.

Catherine has written numerous briefs for state and federal courts, including petitions for certiorari and amicus briefs in the United States Supreme Court and California Supreme Court. Her primary focus is defending the free speech rights of pro-life activists at every level of both state and federal court.

Join Deacon Mike Manno and co-host Gina Noll Tuesday at 9 a.m. (Central) on Iowa Catholic Radio, 1150 AM, 88.5 & 94.5 FM or on IowaCatholicRadio.com for a discussion of this and other legal issues of interest to people of faith.  The program will be re-broadcast at 9 p.m. Join us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.