*Court skep The Washington Post WASHINGTON - Supreme Court jus- tices yesterday expressed skepticism about the constitutionality of a local judge's order keeping anti-abortion demonstrators 15 feet away from pregnant women entering or leav- Ong health clinics. The comments came during oral arguments in a case involving protester blockades of health clinics in Buffalo and Rochester, N.Y., and test- ing the First Amendment limits on ajudge's abil- ity to keep the peace and protect women seeking medical care. The question is how far a judge may go in shielding women and clinic staff from anti- Farrakhan d4 NATION/WORLD The Michigan Daily - Thursday, October 17, 1996 - 5A tical on protest barriers to abortion clinics abortion activists creaming, shoving and sometimes worse. The issue has become central to abortion-related cases at the high court since 1992, when the justices reaf- firmed a woman's right to abortion, and has gained national attention as some protests have turned violent and even deadly. At one point in the arguments yesterday, Solicitor General Walter Dellinger, appear- ing on behalf of the Clinton administration and supporting the clinics, asked what else a local judge could do when faced with evi- dence of patient intimidation and crowding. "What's a trial judge supposed to do?" he asked. "One of the things he's supposed to do is read the First A m e n d m e n t," Justice Anthony Kennedy rejoined, referring to the right of free speech. Justice David Souter observed that "floating" zones What's a trial judge supposed to do?" - Walter Dellinger Soliciter general for clinics The justices ruled in 1994 that judges can establish "buffer zones" to prevent demonstrators from obstruct- ing clinics but they cannot restrict "more speech than necessary" to protect access to medical care or serve any other significant government interest. In that 1994 Florida case, the justices upheld a no-protest zone around a clinic ever one thinks of abortion ... there are respect- ful reasons for opposing it:' He argued a federal judge's order regulating conduct at the Buffalo and Rochester clinics impinged on protesters speech rights. The order, barring activists from blocking access to facilities and harassing patients and staff, kept demonstrators from within 15 feet of a clinic entrance and established a 15-foot "floating" zone to protect anyone arriving or leaving. The latter provision, subject to heat- ed debate yesterday, allows no more than two protesters to enter the zone and requires that they retreat if the woman or anyone else approached asks them to leave. around people coming and going are more diffi- cult for police to enforce than fixed zones around a clinic building. In the latter, he said, people "know what the line is." fixed 36-foot, building. Yesterday, Jay Alan Sekulow, representing New York anti-abortion protesters, said, "what- emands Join the Daily. Call 76-DAILY. I, action for 'genocide' The Washington Post The Nation of Islam leader also NEW YORK - Thousands of peo- called on the United States to lift its ple gathered in the streets near the economic embargo against Cuba. Many O.Jnited Nations yesterday for a rally in the crowd applauded Farrakhan's called by Nation of Islam leader Louis speech and celebrated appearances by Farrakhan, who demanded that the U.N. Winnie Mandela, the former wife of take action against the United States for South African President Nelson the "genocide" of blacks and Native Mandela, and recording star Stephanie Americans. Mills, who were among the few celebri- The "Day ofAtonement" rally, which ties on the program. But the audience organizers said was being broadcast by seemed less concerned with satellite across the country and around Farrakhan's foreign-policy agenda than the world, was intended to commemo- in attempting to recapture the spirit of rate the first anniversary of last year's the Million Man March. Million Man March. But unlike the his- "I'm here because I wanted to be K;oric march in Washington, which with the brothers and sisters to cele- brought together hundreds of thousands brate the anniversary of the march," of African American men, yesterday's said Ryan Yarborough, 25, a financial rally drew much smaller crowds, planner who played two years in the enjoyed little support from national National Football League. "I really black leaders, and. featured an agenda want to see my community improved crafted almost exclusively by and my people uplifted." Farrakhan. The midday rally was held less than In a 2 1/2-hour speech that many in a block from the offices of the Anti- the crowd at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza Defamation League - for years both watched on two scoreboard-sized tele- a target and nemesis of Farrakhan's kision monitors, Farrakhan called on - prompting a large show of force by the United States to acknowledge and the New York police. And despite take steps to repair the damage done by threats of counter protests by Jewish its past transgressions, including slav- groups who consider Farrakhan to be ery and covert efforts to destabilize for- an anti-Semite, only one small band eign governments. of protesters materialized. Police Farrakhan also challenged the United reported no problems. Nations to "stand up" to the United Through much of his address to States, which he said exerts undue influ- the 20,000 to 30,000 people gathered ence on the world body, leading it to here Wednesday, Farrakhan focused endorse "unjust" policies such as inter- on the conservative message of per- P1ational sanctions against Iraq and sonal responsibility that has been Libya. Farrakhan's visits to those two one of his hallmarks. But Farrakhan countries, and his efforts to win U.S. also talked about his controversial government approval for a $1 billion gift tour of Africa and the Middle East from Libya have generated controversy. earlier this year. PEACE CORPS "THE TOUGHEST JOB YOU'LL EVER LOVE" October 17 Peace Corps Information Session Video and RPCV Panel Discussion International Center 7:00 p.m. T,4 o FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL (313) 747-2182 ,, www. peacecorpsgov _A A - ". 4.~ AP PHOTO Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan addresses the Million Man March on Oct. 16, 1995, on Capitol Hill. In a lengthy oratory under the fading afternoon sun, Farrakan scolded, praised and encouraged the mass rally of black men and strengthened his claim to a growing leadership role among American blacks. The one-year anniversary of the march, the World Day of Atonement in New York, was observed yesterday, causing little stir. 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