A grandmother who was arrested for holding a sign outside an abortion clinic in Glasgow, Scotland, is sounding the alarm against growing free speech restrictions as lawmakers press to expand so-called ‘buffer zones’ around such facilities. Rose Docherty, 74, was arrested in February for holding a sign that read: ‘Coercion is a crime, here to talk if you want.’ She was the first person charged under the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act, which came into effect in September. The law prohibits protests and vigils within 200 meters of 30 Scottish clinics offering abortion services, though it allows for expansion if necessary.
Docherty, who rejected a formal warning from the Crown Office, claims the law is used to suppress dissent against abortion. In an interview with BBC’s Scotcast, she defended her actions, stating she had read the law and believed her behavior did not break any rules. She said she was ready to face imprisonment over the offense and criticized the government for its perceived targeting of individuals who disagree with its policies. ‘It wouldn’t matter where we stood,’ she said, ‘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 disagrees with their point of view.’
The legislation, introduced by Green Party MP Gillian Mackay, has drawn comparisons to ‘Orwellian’ measures, with opponents calling it a disproportionate intrusion on freedom of expression. The law allows for buffer zones to be adjusted if they are deemed inadequate, following reports that patients and staff still had to pass protesting groups at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. This has led to calls for further restrictions on the area where protests can occur.
Docherty is not the first to face legal action for protesting near an abortion facility. Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, a prominent pro-life activist, was twice arrested in Birmingham for silently praying within a buffer zone. She was later awarded £10,500 in compensation for wrongful arrests. The U.K. has also seen an increase in arrests over social media posts, drawing international concerns about the government’s approach to free speech.
Mackay, who supports the law, has stated that the government will consider expanding the buffer zone if needed. Dr. Greg Irwin, a doctor at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, previously criticized protesters for causing emotional distress to patients and staff. The controversy highlights the ongoing debate between free speech rights and the need to protect individuals from harassment near medical facilities. As the law remains in effect, the case of Rose Docherty serves as a focal point for discussions on the balance between expression and public order in the U.K.