Then There Is This Attack on Free Speech in Maryland
Meanwhile, over in Maryland freedom of speech is also coming under attack, 7 the victims are fighting back as well. Meanwhile notice the media bias in the article. The Pro-life groups are labeled as anti-abortion. While that is a part of being Pro-life, it is only part. But by labeling us this way they make it easier to paint us as extremists who only care about stopping abortion & not people who are concerned about mother as well as child.
Anti-Abortion Group Sues Over Arrests
18 Arrested Last Year While Trying To Protest
18 Arrested Last Year While Trying To Protest
21 July 2009
ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- A pro-life group is suing several Maryland agencies, saying they've been unfairly targeted by State Police.
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.
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.
On Aug. 1, 18 protesters were arrested on Route 24 in Bel Air. Minutes before, troopers confronted the protesters. Videotape showed a trooper tried to tell them they needed a permit to protest on the roadside.
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.
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.
They said they'll be returning to Bel Air next week -- hopefully, with a different outcome.
"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.
"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.
posted by Al @ 3:16 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home