Then There Is This Attack on Free Speech in Maryland
18 Arrested Last Year While Trying To Protest
Defend Life Inc. and its associates admitted their message is controversial Tuesday but said state troopers are stepping on their First Amendment rights.
The graphic images often used by anti-abortion groups on roadsides are hard to miss and forget, 11 News reporter John Sherman said, but Defend Life insisted that is their point and that they have the constitutional right to make it.
More graphic roadside posters were shown in Annapolis on Tuesday as the group announced its lawsuit.
"We must pay attention to these ugly realities … or we're condemned to not deal with the worst kind of human rights disasters that could ever occur," said the group's attorney, Tom Brejcha.
The group is suing Bel Air, the Harford County Sheriff's Department and the Maryland State Police over what happened last year.
"We're coming back to Bel Air. We're going to have 15 stops on our 15th annual tour beginning Monday, July 27 through Friday, July 31. Our very last stop again this year will be Bel Air," said Defend Life member Jack Ames.
"Because my speech was deemed offensive by police, I was arrested, imprisoned, shackled and strip-searched twice. I'm here today to make sure that justice is done and that no one else trying to protect innocent life has to go through what I went through," said protester Angela Swagler.
Police said they couldn't comment, citing the litigation.
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