A 75-year-old Scottish grandmother faces criminal charges for the second time after holding a sign offering to speak with women considering abortion procedures.
Rose Docherty was arrested by police outside a Glasgow hospital on Saturday while displaying a placard reading "Coercion is a crime, here to talk, only if you want." Her detention occurred under Scotland's Safe Access Zones Act, which creates buffer zones around abortion facilities, according to Breitbart reporting.
The legislation prohibits various activities within 200 meters of abortion clinics, including attempting to persuade women not to access services. Docherty maintains that her sign merely offers voluntary conversation rather than coercive behavior prohibited under the law.
Safe Access Zones Act Creates Broad Restrictions
The Scottish legislation came into effect in September of last year, establishing comprehensive prohibitions around abortion facilities. The law forbids approaching individuals to dissuade them from accessing abortion services, surrounding people entering or leaving clinics, and distributing leaflets.
Religious preaching and even silent vigils are specifically banned under the statute's provisions. These restrictions apply to a 200-meter radius around designated abortion clinics and hospitals providing such services.
The so-called buffer zone legislation makes violations a criminal offense punishable by fines up to £10,000. In cases deemed severe, courts can impose unlimited financial penalties on those found guilty of breaching the restrictions.
Previous Arrest and Charges Dropped Following Political Pressure
Docherty faced similar charges in February when arrested outside another Scottish abortion clinic while holding the identical sign. She argued then, as now, that offering voluntary conversation does not constitute a legal violation under the act.
Scottish prosecutors ultimately dropped those charges in August following intervention from the Trump administration. Vice President JD Vance specifically highlighted Docherty's case as an example of concerning restrictions on free speech.
The grandmother's legal team contended that her sign's language explicitly emphasized voluntary participation in any conversation. They maintained that merely offering to speak with willing individuals should not constitute criminal behavior under the legislation.
Treatment During Detention Raises Additional Concerns
Docherty was held for several hours following her Saturday arrest without being provided seating accommodations. She informed police officers that she had undergone a double hip replacement, yet authorities failed to offer appropriate accommodations during her detention.
The activist described her treatment as unnecessarily harsh, considering her age and medical condition. Her supporters criticized the police response as excessive, given the non-violent nature of her alleged offense.
GB News reported details of her detention conditions, highlighting the apparent lack of consideration for her physical limitations. The incident has drawn attention to police procedures when arresting elderly individuals for non-violent offenses.
International Condemnation and Broader Free Speech Concerns
The U.S. State Department issued a strong condemnation of Docherty's arrest, calling it an "egregious example of tyrannical suppression of free speech." American officials characterized the incident as an attack on common sense and basic civility when elderly grandmothers face arrest for peaceful activities.
The State Department emphasized America's commitment to speaking out against violations of fundamental rights occurring across Europe. This diplomatic intervention reflects growing U.S. concern about free speech restrictions in allied nations.
Similar buffer zone laws have been implemented across Britain, resulting in multiple arrests of individuals engaged in silent prayer near abortion facilities. These cases have generated controversy about the scope of restrictions and their impact on religious freedom and free expression rights.
