Freedom of expression may be rightfully limited when it directly infringes on an individual’s privacy. On Monday, the Supreme Court rejected appeals by anti-abortion demonstrators that a San Jose ordinance banning “targeted residential picketing” is unlawful.

The city requires that a 300-foot buffer zone surrounds private residences, so demonstrators don’t invade the privacy of a “captive audience” within the home.

In San Jose, several anti-abortion demonstrators were arrested for picketing in an abortion doctor’s neighborhood. Opponents of the ban insist that the ordinance, reducing the impact of a picket, limits free expression.

Anti-abortionists are calling the Supreme Court rejection a setback, but no matter what the issue — whether it be abortion, capital punishment or euthanasia — demonstrating outside people’s homes forces them to hear the speech, thus invading their privacy. Protesters should consider alternative available locations and means of expression.