Latest news with #RoseDocherty
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
British Attacks on Free Speech Prove the Value of the First Amendment
Political activists occasionally propose a new constitutional convention, which would gather delegates from the states to craft amendments to the nation's founding document. It's a long and convoluted process, but the Constitution itself provides the blueprint. Article V allows such a confab if two-thirds of Congress or two-thirds of the state legislatures call for one. These days, conservatives are the driving force for the idea, as they see it as a means to put further limits on the federal government. Sometimes, progressives propose such a thing. Their goals are to enshrine various social programs and social-justice concepts. Yet anyone who has watched the moronic sausage-making in Congress and state legislatures should be wary of opening Pandora's Box. I'd be happy enough if both political tribes tried to uphold the Constitution as it is currently drafted. It's a brilliant document that limits the power of the government to infringe on our rights. Without the first 10—the Bill of Rights—this would be a markedly different nation. For a sense of where we might be without it, I'd recommend looking at Great Britain and its approach to the speech concepts detailed on our First Amendment. Our nation was spawned from the British, so we share a culture and history. Yet, without a specific constitutional dictate, that nation has taken a disturbing approach that rightly offends American sensibilities. As Tablet magazine reported, "74-year-old Scottish grandmother Rose Docherty was arrested on video by four police officers for silently holding a sign in proximity to a Glasgow abortion clinic reading 'Coercion is a crime, here to talk, only if you want.'" Thousands of Brits are detained, questioned, and prosecuted, it notes, for online posts of the type that wouldn't raise an eyebrow here. The chilling effect is profound. This isn't as awful as what happens in authoritarian countries such as Russia, where the government's critics have a habit of accidentally falling out of windows. But that's thin gruel. Britain and the European Union are supposed to be free countries. Their speech codes are intended to battle disinformation/misinformation, but empowering the government to be the arbiter of such vague concepts only destroys everyone's freedoms. In 1998, Great Britain approved Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights. It protects a citizen's "right to hold your own opinions and to express them freely without government interference." But it comes with limits and conditions. The authorities may quash such speech to "protect national security, territorial integrity (the borders of the state) or public safety," or "prevent disorder or crime," or "protect health or morals," or "maintain the authority and impartiality of judges." One may not express "views that encourage racial or religious hatred." Those are open-ended terms, which has led to bizarre prosecutions. Our First Amendment includes these words: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble." A constitutional amendment stating "no law" is more protective than a statute with asterisks and exceptions. With the political Left devoted to limiting speech based on its fixations on race and gender and the political Right's willingness to, say, deport students who take verboten positions on the war in Gaza and malign reporters as enemies of the people, I'd hate to see how speech protections would fare in a refashioned constitution. Traditionally, the Left has taken a "living and breathing" approach, insisting its plain words and founders' intent are up for reinterpretation. Sadly, modern conservatives, who previously defended originalism, seem ready to ditch the Constitution when it hinders their policy aims. Just read their dissing of due process—as stated in the 5th and 14th amendments, when it comes to immigration policy. When asked about habeas corpus during a Senate hearing, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said it's "a constitutional right that the president has to be able to remove people from this country." It's the opposite, as habeas corpus requires the government to explain why it's detaining people—and forbids it from holding them indefinitely. MAGA apparently believes the words of the Constitution mean the opposite of what they say. Frankly, I wouldn't want either side to be near a constitutional convention that's empowered to rewrite a document penned by men more brilliant and civic-minded than our current lot. "Those who won our independence by revolution were not cowards," wrote Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis in the 1927 free-speech case, Whitney v. California. "They did not exalt order at the cost of liberty. … If there be time to expose through discussion the falsehood and fallacies, to avert the evil by the processes of education, the remedy to be applied is more speech, not enforced silence." We don't need to revisit the Constitution, but to uphold the protections already within it. This column was first published in The Orange County Register. The post British Attacks on Free Speech Prove the Value of the First Amendment appeared first on
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Grandmother arrested at abortion clinic warns of expanding free speech 'buffer zones'
A grandmother in the U.K. who was arrested for holding a sign outside an abortion clinic is sounding the alarm against further attacks on free speech as lawmakers move to expand so-called "buffer zones" outside such facilities. Rose Docherty, 74, was arrested in Glasgow, Scotland near the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) in February for holding a sign that read: "Coercion is a crime, here to talk if you want." Docherty was the first person to be arrested and charged under the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act, which went into effect in September, the BBC reported. The law prohibits any protests or vigils from taking place within 200m or 656ft of 30 clinics offering abortion services in Scotland, but the law specifies that the Safe Access Zone could be extended if considered appropriate. Docherty's arrest came just days after Vice President JD Vance highlighted the law as an example of free speech being under attack in the U.K. Uk Woman Threatened With Fine For Praying Within Abortion Facility's 'Buffer Zone:' ' Grossly Orwellian' Read On The Fox News App Now, Gillian Mackay, the Green Party parliamentarian responsible for introducing the buffer zones legislation, has now suggested that the Scottish government consider expanding the area of prohibition on "influence" outside hospitals, according to ADF International, a Christian legal advocacy group. Docherty has rejected a formal warning from the Crown Office - arguing that it was "unjust" - and is waiting to find out what action may now be taken against her. In her first broadcast interview since her arrest, she told the BBC she had "no reason to regret" the incident, noting it was an "alarming" and "surreal" experience. She said she had read the law and believed her actions did not violate the legislation. "I gave consideration to what I was doing…I looked at the law and saw what it said I couldn't do, and thought, OK, well, this is what I can do…I can offer to listen, and if anyone wants to come and speak to me, they can do so, only if they want to come and speak with me," she told BBC's Scotcast. She said she is prepared to go to prison over the offense. Docherty has also said that the government essentially wants to stamp out any opposition to abortion. "I believe it wouldn't matter where we stood…it wouldn't matter how far they pushed the 'buffer zone,'" she told ADF International, a Christian legal advocacy group. New Online 'Misinformation' Bill Slammed As 'Biggest Attack' On Freedoms In Australia "It wouldn't matter where we stood –201 meters, or 500 meters away – it seems the authorities would still try to crack down harshly and unfairly on individuals because the government simply disagree with their point of view. This is unjust – of course, there should be laws against harassment, and we all condemn such behavior. But merely offering conversations near a hospital is not a crime." Dr Greg Irwin, a doctor at the QEUH, was pictured confronting a group of protesters in February 2023, saying that they "cause emotional upset to patients, but also to staff members," per the BBC. Groups have been protesting outside the hospital for 10 years, leading to the passing of the Safe Access Zones Act. Mackay said patients and staff had told her that they still had to pass the protesters when attending the QEUH leading to distress. "I think it's appropriate that we take those concerns seriously and the government take a look at whether an extension is appropriate or not," Mackay told the BBC. The act allows ministers to extend the size of a buffer zone if it is decided that the existing zone is not adequate, a Scottish government spokesperson told the outlet. Docherty isn't the first person to be arrested outside abortion facilities. For instance, Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, a prominent pro-life activist, was arrested twice in Birmingham for silently praying without any signs near an abortion facility within a buffer zone. She was arrested under a local law known as a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO). She was later awarded $13,000 in compensation for wrongful arrests, according to Christian Today. The U.K. has drawn international attention for its alleged clampdown on free speech. A number of people have been investigated and arrested for social media article source: Grandmother arrested at abortion clinic warns of expanding free speech 'buffer zones'
Fox News
17-05-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Grandmother arrested at abortion clinic warns of expanding free speech 'buffer zones'
A grandmother in the U.K. who was arrested for holding a sign outside an abortion clinic is sounding the alarm against further attacks on free speech as lawmakers move to expand so-called "buffer zones" outside such facilities. Rose Docherty, 74, was arrested in Glasgow, Scotland near the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) in February for holding a sign that read: "Coercion is a crime, here to talk if you want." Docherty was the first person to be arrested and charged under the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act, which went into effect in September, the BBC reported. The law prohibits any protests or vigils from taking place within 200m or 656ft of 30 clinics offering abortion services in Scotland, but the law specifies that the Safe Access Zone could be extended if considered appropriate. Docherty's arrest came just days after Vice President JD Vance highlighted the law as an example of free speech being under attack in the U.K. Now, Gillian Mackay, the Green Party parliamentarian responsible for introducing the buffer zones legislation, has now suggested that the Scottish government consider expanding the area of prohibition on "influence" outside hospitals, according to ADF International, a Christian legal advocacy group. Docherty has rejected a formal warning from the Crown Office - arguing that it was "unjust" - and is waiting to find out what action may now be taken against her. In her first broadcast interview since her arrest, she told the BBC she had "no reason to regret" the incident, noting it was an "alarming" and "surreal" experience. She said she had read the law and believed her actions did not violate the legislation. "I gave consideration to what I was doing…I looked at the law and saw what it said I couldn't do, and thought, OK, well, this is what I can do…I can offer to listen, and if anyone wants to come and speak to me, they can do so, only if they want to come and speak with me," she told BBC's Scotcast. She said she is prepared to go to prison over the offense. Docherty has also said that the government essentially wants to stamp out any opposition to abortion. "I believe it wouldn't matter where we stood…it wouldn't matter how far they pushed the 'buffer zone,'" she told ADF International, a Christian legal advocacy group. "It wouldn't matter where we stood –201 meters, or 500 meters away – it seems the authorities would still try to crack down harshly and unfairly on individuals because the government simply disagree with their point of view. This is unjust – of course, there should be laws against harassment, and we all condemn such behavior. But merely offering conversations near a hospital is not a crime." Dr Greg Irwin, a doctor at the QEUH, was pictured confronting a group of protesters in February 2023, saying that they "cause emotional upset to patients, but also to staff members," per the BBC. Groups have been protesting outside the hospital for 10 years, leading to the passing of the Safe Access Zones Act. Mackay said patients and staff had told her that they still had to pass the protesters when attending the QEUH leading to distress. "I think it's appropriate that we take those concerns seriously and the government take a look at whether an extension is appropriate or not," Mackay told the BBC. The act allows ministers to extend the size of a buffer zone if it is decided that the existing zone is not adequate, a Scottish government spokesperson told the outlet. Docherty isn't the first person to be arrested outside abortion facilities. For instance, Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, a prominent pro-life activist, was arrested twice in Birmingham for silently praying without any signs near an abortion facility within a buffer zone. She was arrested under a local law known as a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO). She was later awarded $13,000 in compensation for wrongful arrests, according to Christian Today. The U.K. has drawn international attention for its alleged clampdown on free speech. A number of people have been investigated and arrested for social media posts.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Arrested anti-abortion protester 'willing to go to jail'
A woman who was arrested for taking part in an anti-abortion protest outside of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow has said she is prepared to go to prison over the offence. Rose Docherty, 74, became the first person to be arrested and charged under a new law which creates buffer zones outside Scottish abortion clinics in February. She has rejected a formal warning from the Crown Office - arguing that it was "unjust" - and is waiting to find out what action may now be taken against her. Doctors at the hospital have previously told BBC Scotland News that the protests, which have been held outside the hospital for nearly 10 years, were upsetting and intimidating for patients and staff. The Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act prevents any protests or vigils from taking place within 200m (650ft) of 30 clinics around the country. Anyone who breaks the buffer zones law could be fined up to £10,000 or an unlimited amount in more serious cases. Woman, 74, charged under abortion protest law Anti-abortion group starts Lent hospital protests Ms Docherty was arrested close to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) on 19 February. She had been holding a sign that said "Coercion is a crime, here to talk, only if you want". In her first broadcast interview since the arrest, she said she had "no reason to regret" the incident. She told BBC's Scotcast that the arrest was an "alarming" and "surreal" experience. Ms Docherty added: "I don't feel I was breaking the law because I feel this law is an unjust law. "I was just standing with a sign that was stating a fact that coercion is a crime. "I was there to speak with people only if they wanted to speak with me. I wasn't approaching anyone, I wasn't behaving in a manner that was intimidating or harassing anyone." Dr Greg Irwin, a doctor at the QEUH, was pictured confronting a group of protestors in February 2023, saying that they "cause emotional upset to patients, but also to staff members". He added: "One in three women will make use of abortion healthcare, so judgemental protests at the hospital gates have a real and unpleasant effect, particularly on these staff members. "But they also affect other staff, like myself, who find it infuriating to know that there are protesters outside the hospital intimidating patients on their way in. "It's such an unbelievably cruel and unkind thing to do, and it bothers me throughout the protest period." The anti-abortion protests are often linked to the 40 Days for Life group - although Ms Docherty denied that she was a member of the US-based organisation. Following her arrest, the Crown Office sent her a letter which contained a formal warning. It said the procurator fiscal had decided against bringing Ms Docherty before a court and if she accepted the warning she would not be prosecuted. "I said I wasn't accepting a warning because it's unjust," she said. "I would be prepared to go to prison. I have no idea what might happen. "I'm waiting to see what's going to develop from having written back to the procurator fiscal so it's up to them to see what their next step is." The Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act came into force last September. It was drawn up by Scottish Green MSP Gillian Mackay, who said women seeking the procedure were subjected to "totally unacceptable abuse and obstruction" outside hospitals. It is a criminal offence to behave in ways that could influence the decisions of women and staff to access services within the buffer zones. Stopping women and staff from entering the clinics or otherwise causing alarm, harassment or distress is also an offence. Gillian Mackay said patients and staff had told her that they still have to pass the protestors when attending the QEUH and "shared similar distress to what we heard during the passage of the bill". She added: "I think it's appropriate that we take those concerns seriously and the government take a look at whether an extension is appropriate or not." Ms Docherty denied that she had deliberately sought to be arrested for publicity, despite it taking place just days after US Vice-President JD Vance highlighted the law as an example of free speech is Europe being "in retreat". When asked about patients or staff feeling intimidated by the protestors, Ms Docherty said: "If they say they feel that way then they must feel that way, I'm not in charge of their feelings. "But I know that my intention is not to do that, I'm standing peacefully and quietly." She added: "We know that women have changed their minds because something has given them pause for thought. "If someone is being influenced, it seems to point to the fact that their mind isn't made up." She said that moving to another location further from the hospital would make the group less visible, meaning their "offer of help" was less visible. "People say we should go to the Scottish parliament, but that's not where the help is needed," she added. A spokesperson for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service said: "The procurator fiscal has received a report concerning a 74-year-old in relation to an alleged incident on 19/02/2025. "The report remains under the consideration of the procurator fiscal." Abortion buffer zones to take effect within weeks Abortion protests near clinics banned as buffer zones law goes live Anti-abortion group will not break buffer zones
BBC News
15-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Woman 'prepared to go to prison' over abortion protest
A woman who was arrested for taking part in an anti-abortion protest outside of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow has said she is prepared to go to prison over the Docherty, 74, became the first person to be arrested and charged under a new law which creates buffer zones outside Scottish abortion clinics in February. She has rejected a formal warning from the Crown Office - arguing that it was "unjust" - and is waiting to find out what action may now be taken against her. Doctors at the hospital have previously told BBC Scotland that the protests, which have been held outside the hospital for nearly 10 years, were upsetting and intimidating for patients and staff. The law prevents any protests or vigils from taking place within 200m (650ft) of 30 clinics around the country. Anyone who breaks the buffer zones law could be fined up to £10,000 or an unlimited amount in more serious cases. Ms Docherty was arrested close to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) in Glasgow on 19 had been holding a sign that said: "Coercion is a crime, here to talk, only if you want".In her first broadcast interview since the arrest, she said she had "no reason to regret" the told BBC's Scotcast that the arrest was an "alarming" and "surreal" Docherty added: "I don't feel I was breaking the law because I feel this law is an unjust law. "I was just standing with a sign that was stating a fact that coercion is a crime. "I was there to speak with people only if they wanted to speak with me. I wasn't approaching anyone, I wasn't behaving in a manner that was intimidating or harassing anyone." Dr Greg Irwin, a doctor at the QEUH, was pictured confronting a group of protestors in February 2023, saying that they "cause emotional upset to patients, but also to staff members". He added: "One in three women will make use of abortion healthcare, so judgemental protests at the hospital gates have a real and unpleasant effect particularly on these staff members."But they also affect other staff, like myself, who find it infuriating to know that there are protesters outside the hospital intimidating patients on their way in."It's such an unbelievable cruel and unkind thing to do, and it bothers me throughout the protest period." Extending buffer zones The anti-abortion protests are often linked to the 40 Days for Life group - although Ms Docherty denied that she was a member of the US-based organisation. Following her arrest, the Crown Office sent her a letter which contained a formal said the procurator fiscal had decided against bringing Ms Docherty before a court and if she accepted the warning, she would not be prosecuted."I said I wasn't accepting a warning because it's unjust," she said."I would be prepared to go to prison. I have no idea what might happen."I'm waiting to see what's going to develop from having writing back to the procurator fiscal so it's up to them to see what their next step is."The Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act came into force last was drawn up by Scottish Green MSP Gillian Mackay, who said women seeking the procedure were subjected to "totally unacceptable abuse and obstruction" outside is a criminal offence to behave in ways that could influence the decisions of women and staff to access services within the buffer women and staff from entering the clinics or otherwise causing alarm, harassment or distress is also an Mackay said patients and staff had told her that they still have to pass the protestors when attending the QEUH and "shared similar distress to what we heard during the passage of the bill". She added: "I think it's appropriate that we take those concerns seriously and the government take a look at whether an extension is appropriate or not."Ms Docherty denied that she had deliberately sought to be arrested was for publicity, despite it taking place just days after US Vice-President JD Vance highlighted the law as an example of free speech is Europe being "in retreat".When asked about patients or staff feeling intimidated by the protestors, Ms Docherty said: "If they say they feel that way then they must feel that way, I'm not in charge of their feelings."But I know that my intention is not to do that, I'm standing peacefully and quietly."She added: "We know that women have changed their minds because something has given them pause for thought. "If someone is being influenced, it seems to point to the fact that their mind isn't made up."She said that moving to another location further from the hospital would make the group less visible, meaning their "offer of help" was less visible."People say we should go to the Scottish parliament, but that's not where the help is needed," she added.A spokesperson for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service said: "The procurator fiscal has received a report concerning a 74-year-old in relation to an alleged incident on 19/02/2025."The report remains under the consideration of the procurator fiscal."
