October Term 2013 · Docket 12-1168
Can a state restrict protest speech near abortion clinics?
the sides that brought the case argue the law bans speech. The state argues it only moves speech.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Mr. Rienzi argued sidewalks are special. He cited First Amendment protections for speech.
Ms. Miller said the sides that brought the case can protest. She noted they use public spaces.
Mr. Gershengorn called the law neutral. He said it moves speech, not bans it.
Justice Ginsburg noted past disturbances. She said the state cannot predict behavior.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 11-33 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 11-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 43-3 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 43-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 35-41 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 35-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 19-27 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 19-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-37 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 39-11 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 39-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 48, lines 9-19 — Transcript, file page 48, lines 9-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 13-25 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 13-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 27-27 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 27-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 3-11 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 3-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 49-21 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 49-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 27-33 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 27-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 39-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 21-23 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 21-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 9-19 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 9-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 21-23 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 21-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 29-41 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 29-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 3-11 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 3-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 17-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 17-3 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 17-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 7-9 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 7-9
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests a Massachusetts law. It limits protest near abortion clinics. the sides that brought the case say the law violates free speech. The state says it protects access.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 19-27 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 19-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-37 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 48, lines 9-19 — Transcript, file page 48, lines 9-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 13-25 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 13-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 9-19 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 9-19
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on January 15, 2014.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 27-33 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 27-33
What each side wants
the sides that brought the case want the law struck down. They argue it bans protected speech.
The state wants the law upheld. It argues the rule only moves speech.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 19-27 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 19-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-37 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 48, lines 9-19 — Transcript, file page 48, lines 9-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 13-25 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 13-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 9-19 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 9-19
What each side says
the sides that brought the case claim public sidewalks are special. They say the law targets specific speakers.
The state claims the rule is neutral. It says the law only changes location.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 19-27 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 19-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-37 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 48, lines 9-19 — Transcript, file page 48, lines 9-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 13-25 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 13-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 9-19 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 9-19
What the justices asked
Justice Sotomayor asked about past obstruction events. She questioned the last incident date.
Justice Scalia asked about recent prosecutions. He inquired about blocking clinic entrances.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 11-33 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 11-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 43-3 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 43-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 35-41 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 35-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 39-11 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 39-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 27-27 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 27-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 3-11 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 3-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 49-21 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 49-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 27-33 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 27-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 39-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 21-23 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 21-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 21-23 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 21-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 29-41 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 29-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 3-11 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 3-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 17-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 17-3 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 17-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 7-9 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 7-9
Why it matters
This dispute defines protest zones near clinics. It balances speech rights with access. The outcome shapes future protest laws.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 19-27 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 19-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-37 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 48, lines 9-19 — Transcript, file page 48, lines 9-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 13-25 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 13-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 9-19 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 9-19
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 11-33 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 11-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 43-3 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 43-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 35-41 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 35-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 39-11 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 39-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 27-27 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 27-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 3-11 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 3-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 49-21 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 49-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 27-33 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 27-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 39-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 21-23 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 21-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 21-23 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 21-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 29-41 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 29-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 3-11 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 3-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 17-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 17-3 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 17-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 7-9 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 7-9
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 19-27 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 19-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-37 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 48, lines 9-19 — Transcript, file page 48, lines 9-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 13-25 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 13-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 9-19 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 9-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 19-27 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 19-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-37 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 48, lines 9-19 — Transcript, file page 48, lines 9-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 13-25 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 13-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 9-19 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 9-19
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.