The U.S. Supreme Court has struck down a Massachusetts law that requires anti-abortion protesters to stay at least 35 feet from patients and staff at abortion clinics.Watch NewsCenter 5 reportIn the unanimous decision, justices ruled that extending a buffer zone 35 feet from clinic entrances violates the First Amendment rights of protesters.Read: Full SCOTUS decisionThe ruling signals that states can pass laws ensuring access to clinics, but cannot more broadly ban speech on public streets and sidewalks.Since 2007, protesters outside of abortion clinics have not been allowed within the buffer zone in Massachusetts.Images: Landmark SCOTUS decisionsAbortion opponents claimed the law was unconstitutional infringement on free speech, especially when dealing with Planned Parenthood facilities across the state. They say they have little chance of reaching patients arriving at Planned Parenthood clinics by car.Within minutes of the ruling, Planned Parenthood fired back on Twitter, saying "This isn't over: Women deserve to be able to visit their doctor & make private decisions without being harassed."Massachusetts officials who support protest-free zones around abortion clinics say they will try to craft new rules in the wake of a U.S. Supreme Court decision.Gov. Deval Patrick said the decision was disappointing but said he would work with lawmakers on new rules."I think the Legislature shares the concern about how to strike a balance between the ability of women to exercise their constitutional rights and the ability of objectors to exercise theirs," said Patrick, adding that he believed the law that was struck down was fair.Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley argued the law is no different than other zones, including those around polling places and courts.Martha Walz, president of Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts, said in the absence of buffer zones her organization would, if necessary, pursue injunctions against any unruly protesters.Anne Fox, president of Massachusetts Citizens for Life, praised the high court's decision and noted that other laws prohibit harassment and the blocking of entrances to buildings."This is a victory for all citizens who value their First Amendment rights and for clinic-bound women who might need someone to talk to," Fox said.

The U.S. Supreme Court has struck down a Massachusetts law that requires anti-abortion protesters to stay at least 35 feet from patients and staff at abortion clinics.

Watch NewsCenter 5 report

Advertisement Related Content Group urges caution on abortion clinic bill

In the unanimous decision, justices ruled that extending a buffer zone 35 feet from clinic entrances violates the First Amendment rights of protesters.

Read: Full SCOTUS decision

The ruling signals that states can pass laws ensuring access to clinics, but cannot more broadly ban speech on public streets and sidewalks.

Since 2007, protesters outside of abortion clinics have not been allowed within the buffer zone in Massachusetts.

Images: Landmark SCOTUS decisions

Abortion opponents claimed the law was unconstitutional infringement on free speech, especially when dealing with Planned Parenthood facilities across the state. They say they have little chance of reaching patients arriving at Planned Parenthood clinics by car.

Within minutes of the ruling, Planned Parenthood fired back on Twitter, saying "This isn't over: Women deserve to be able to visit their doctor & make private decisions without being harassed."

Massachusetts officials who support protest-free zones around abortion clinics say they will try to craft new rules in the wake of a U.S. Supreme Court decision.

Gov. Deval Patrick said the decision was disappointing but said he would work with lawmakers on new rules.

"I think the Legislature shares the concern about how to strike a balance between the ability of women to exercise their constitutional rights and the ability of objectors to exercise theirs," said Patrick, adding that he believed the law that was struck down was fair.

Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley argued the law is no different than other zones, including those around polling places and courts.

Martha Walz, president of Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts, said in the absence of buffer zones her organization would, if necessary, pursue injunctions against any unruly protesters.

Anne Fox, president of Massachusetts Citizens for Life, praised the high court's decision and noted that other laws prohibit harassment and the blocking of entrances to buildings.

"This is a victory for all citizens who value their First Amendment rights and for clinic-bound women who might need someone to talk to," Fox said.