Attorney Generals' offices press releases: on Abortion


Deval Patrick: Supported 35-foot buffer zone at abortion clinics

The US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit affirmed the constitutionality of the Commonwealth's buffer zone law. That statute creates a 35-foot buffer zone around entrances and driveways of reproductive health care facilities that provide abortion-related services. The law allows persons to enter the buffer zone only to enter or leave the clinic. Attorney General Martha Coakley's Office defended the constitutionality of the statute in the federal court proceedings.

"We are pleased that the First Circuit has upheld this important law, which enhances public safety and access to medical facilities," said Coakley. "The court agreed that the buffer zone law does not violate the First Amendment because it leaves open ample opportunities for civil engagement on public ways outside of reproductive clinics."

The buffer zone law was signed by Gov. Deval Patrick and took effect in Nov. 2007. In May 2007, Coakley testified before the Legislature in support of the passage of the legislation.

Source: Attorney General Press release on website www.mass.gov Jul 9, 2009

Letitia James: NY fund for abortion costs of women coming from out-of-state

As the U.S. Supreme Court hears oral arguments on a Mississippi anti-abortion law that could dramatically curtail the ability of women across the US to access safe and legal abortions, Letitia James today called for the state of New York to establish a dedicated fund that would help support and provide financial resources to women across the country so that they could continue to make their own reproductive choices. The Supreme Court is hearing the case Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization today and will determine whether a Mississippi law that bans abortions after 15 weeks, with very few exceptions, should be upheld, calling into question the fundamental premise of Roe v. Wade. Because these effects will be especially harsh in states that impose exceedingly strict limitations on abortion, A.G. James is today proposing a fund that will cover the costs for women living in these states to travel to New York, as well as cover accommodations and costs of an abortion.
Source: N.Y. Attorney General Press Release "Abortion Access" Dec 1, 2021

Martha Coakley: Supported 35-foot buffer zone at abortion clinics

The US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit affirmed the constitutionality of the Commonwealth's buffer zone law. That statute creates a 35-foot buffer zone around entrances and driveways of reproductive health care facilities that provide abortion-related services. The law allows persons to enter the buffer zone only to enter or leave the clinic. Attorney General Martha Coakley's Office defended the constitutionality of the statute in the federal court proceedings.

"We are pleased that the First Circuit has upheld this important law, which enhances public safety and access to medical facilities," said Coakley. "The court agreed that the buffer zone law does not violate the First Amendment because it leaves open ample opportunities for civil engagement on public ways outside of reproductive clinics."

The buffer zone law was signed by Gov. Deval Patrick and took effect in Nov. 2007. In May 2007, Coakley testified before the Legislature in support of the passage of the legislation.

Source: Attorney General Press release on website www.mass.gov Jul 9, 2009

Shannon Liss-Riordan: Enforce and defend laws protecting access to abortion care

Shannon has been a strong promoter of reproductive justice since her college days marching for our rights, co-founding a national young women's organization in her 20s that fought for reproductive justice, defending abortion access across the country for the Center for Reproductive Law & Policy, and being an avid supporter of the ROE Act. Shannon will fight to expand access to reproductive health care and will enforce and defend our strong laws protecting access to abortion care.
Source: Mass. 2022 Attorney General press release ShannonForAG.com Sep 6, 2022

Kamala Harris: Investigate fraud in anti-Planned Parenthood videos

Agents from Kamala Harris' office searched the apartment of David Daleiden, the antiabortion activist whose controversial hidden camera videos last summer accused Planned Parenthood doctors of selling fetal tissue.

Harris' officers seized video files from Daleiden's apartment. Daleiden said his "First Amendment work product" was taken. Daleiden characterized the search as "an attack on citizen journalism."

"Planned Parenthood's bought-and-paid-for AG has steadfastly refused to enforce the laws against the baby body parts traffickers," he said.

A federal judge has rejected Daleiden's journalistic claims, noting that the activist and his team used false identities, and selectively edited the material they captured on tiny cameras disguised as shirt buttons, despite state laws prohibiting secret recording.

Last summer, Harris said her office would investigate whether Daleiden and his agents violated state laws when they secretly recorded private meetings and closed-door conferences.

Source: L.A.Times on Calif. Attorney General press release "Sting" Apr 5, 2016

  • The above quotations are from Attorney General offices Press Releases.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Abortion.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
  • Click here for more quotes by Mark Brnovich on Abortion.
  • Click here for more quotes by Letitia James on Abortion.
2016 Presidential contenders on Abortion:
  Republicans:
Gov.Jeb Bush(FL)
Dr.Ben Carson(MD)
Gov.Chris Christie(NJ)
Sen.Ted Cruz(TX)
Carly Fiorina(CA)
Gov.Jim Gilmore(VA)
Sen.Lindsey Graham(SC)
Gov.Mike Huckabee(AR)
Gov.Bobby Jindal(LA)
Gov.John Kasich(OH)
Gov.Sarah Palin(AK)
Gov.George Pataki(NY)
Sen.Rand Paul(KY)
Gov.Rick Perry(TX)
Sen.Rob Portman(OH)
Sen.Marco Rubio(FL)
Sen.Rick Santorum(PA)
Donald Trump(NY)
Gov.Scott Walker(WI)
Democrats:
Gov.Lincoln Chafee(RI)
Secy.Hillary Clinton(NY)
V.P.Joe Biden(DE)
Gov.Martin O`Malley(MD)
Sen.Bernie Sanders(VT)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren(MA)
Sen.Jim Webb(VA)

2016 Third Party Candidates:
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Roseanne Barr(PF-HI)
Robert Steele(L-NY)
Dr.Jill Stein(G,MA)
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Page last updated: Aug 04, 2024