TAMPA, Fla. — A Clearwater women’s clinic is at the center of a free speech lawsuit.

What You Need To Know

  • Some protesters have become more aggressive toward patients entering the women's center 

  • Clearwater City Commissioners approved buffer zone to protect patients

  • Florida Preborn Rescue has filed federal lawsuit claing buffer zone violates free speech

Florida Preborn Rescue has filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Clearwater for creating a buffer zone at the Bread & Roses Women’s Health Center.

Earlier this year, Clearwater City Commissioners approved a plan that keeps protestors five feet away from either side of the entrance to the center after reports of some anti-abortion protesters getting more aggressive in their demonstrations by coming in contact with cars and people trying to enter the facility.

Scott Mahurin says Florida Preborn Rescue has been protesting in front of the women’s center every Tuesday and Thursday for the last two years, but before any of his members come out to make their voices heard, he says they first get an earful of training on how to protest respectfully.

“My teams are all very peaceful,” he said, “They’re very calm. They’re very gentle. We’ve never broken any laws.”

But his isn't the only anti-abortion group that stages protests in front of the center on any given week. Mahurin admits some protests he’s not affiliated with do get aggressive.

Lisa Hartley drives by the women’s center often and says she’s seen protesters harassing patients for herself.

“They stand close to the building with a blow horn screaming things," she said. “And last time I came by and saw them, one guy was up on a ladder with a blow horn screaming things.”

The buffer zone is designed to protect the patients who visit the women’s center. Now, Mahurin's organization is protesting the buffer zone.

“Because otherwise we have to stand back behind that tall fence and try to shout over the fence,” he said, “and it makes it more difficult for us to get our information to them.”

He has taken his complaint to court, filing a federal lawsuit against the city for what members of his group say is a violation of their free speech. Neither Clearwater City officials nor the owners of Bread & Roses Women’s Health Center would comment on the lawsuit or the buffer zone, but Hartley thinks it's a good idea to help keep people safe.

“I am very much in approval of that," she said. “I think they should push it back even further.”

Meanwhile, Mahurin wants the city to find a better way to curb aggressive protesters.

“The city should be arresting or citing people who were breaking the existing laws, besides making a buffer zone that punishes the free speech of all," he said.

Clearwater City Hall was served the lawsuit a few days ago. A court hearing will be scheduled once the city makes an official response to the suit.