A 75-year-old grandmother was arrested near Glasgow Hospital while trying to speak with a woman about abortion.
Rose Dosty, an anti-abortion activist, was taken into custody by Scottish police in Glasgow on Saturday. It’s been reported that such actions are considered illegal if they disrupt people going in and out of clinics.
This incident appears to breach Scotland’s Safe Access Zone Act, which forbids protests within 200 meters of abortion facilities. The law, enacted last September, aims to prevent anyone from approaching individuals and dissuading them from accessing abortion services.
As per the “buffer zone” regulations, interfering with women seeking abortions could lead to fines reaching up to £10,000 or even ongoing penalties. It’s also a violation to cause alarm, harassment, or distress to those seeking services.
Dosty had previously been arrested outside another abortion clinic earlier this year while displaying similar signs.
After some political turmoil related to the Trump administration, charges against her were dropped in August as Scottish prosecutors reconsidered the case.
Reflecting on her recent arrest, Docherty stated, “Everyone should have the right to engage in consensual conversations. I hold my signs with love and compassion, welcoming those who want to talk.”
She added, “I shouldn’t be treated like a criminal for simply inviting conversation. I mean, talking on the streets of Glasgow shouldn’t be a crime. Yet, here I am again, facing arrest for it.”
Reports indicate she was detained for several hours and wasn’t provided with a chair, despite mentioning her double hip replacement surgery.
The US State Department also criticized the arrest, emphasizing that “when a 75-year-old grandmother is arrested for peacefully engaging in conversation, we’re seeing a troubling trend against basic rights.”
Similar restrictions have surfaced across the UK, resulting in multiple arrests of individuals quietly praying near abortion clinics.
