A challenge to Gov. Patrick's assault on free speech.

Antiabortion activists have filed a legal challenge against a new state law that expanded the buffer zone keeping protesters away from abortion clinics, saying the 35-foot zone violates their free-speech rights.

The law is "an unconstitutional regulation designed and intended to ban virtually all citizens from engaging in fundamental rights and liberties on significant portions of public sidewalks and streets" adjacent to abortion clinics, the lawsuit, filed Wednesday in federal court, charged.

"Our perspective is: We're talking about lives at stake," said Bill Cotter, president of Operation Rescue: Boston. Several people active in the group are among the plaintiffs in the case.

The legal odds may be long, but here's hoping for a victory.