A district court judge in Kentucky has ruled that the “buffer zone” law outside an abortion facility in Louisville cannot be enforced, granting pro-life groups a court victory and the ability to continue counseling women. A permanent injunction was placed on the buffer zone ordinance on September 13, following a legal battle that lasted over three years.
The court’s permanent injunction has effectively struck down Louisville’s unconstitutional buffer zone law, permitting sidewalk counselors to do what they do best — offer desperate women life-saving and empowering alternatives to abortion.
“We are thrilled with this victory after a years-long battle that vindicates important First Amendment rights for our clients and their ministries,” said Chris Wiest, who represented Kentucky Right to Life and Sisters for Life, according to KentuckyToday.
Kentucky Right to Life Association, Sisters for Life, and individual pro-life advocates first challenged the city of Louisville’s Ordinance O-179-21 in June of 2021, saying that the buffer zone law was unconstitutional and violated First Amendment rights. The ordinance prohibited sidewalk counselors from entering within 10 feet or blocking the entrance of EMW Women’s Surgical Center, which severely limited their legal ability to aid women entering and exiting the abortion facility.