A grandmother arrested for holding a ‘here to talk’ sign in an abortion censorship zone has expressed delight that no further action is to be taken against her.
Rose Docherty was arrested in February for offering consensual conversation near Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow. The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service initially said it would drop any threats of prosecution if she accepted their formal warning, but she refused to accept it as it was “unjust”.
Under the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Act people risk an unlimited fine for handing out pro-life literature within 200m of a centre, speaking to anyone about abortion, or praying silently.
Docherty said that the decision of the Crown Office to withdraw action “seems to indicate that I was not breaking the law”.
She added: “This buffer zone law is all about intimidation, harassment and influencing. There is nothing intimidatory or harassing about an elderly woman standing by the roadside offering to lend a listening ear.”
The 75-year-old told BBC Scotland: “To be warned for having stood on the streets of Glasgow offering to have a conversation if anyone wants to come and speak to you – it just seems preposterous.”
“This is a victory not just for me, but for everyone in Scotland who believes we should be free to hold a peaceful conversation.”
“I stood with love and compassion, ready to listen to anyone who wanted to talk. Criminalising kindness has no place in a free society.”