Prosecutors in Scotland have dropped all charges against 75-year-old Rose Docherty, the grandmother who became the first to be arrested under the country’s new “buffer zone” law. She was detained in February for standing silently outside Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth University Hospital while holding a sign that read: “Coercion is a crime, here to talk, only if you want.”
The law, known formally as the Abortion Services Act, took effect in September 2024 and restricts protest or influence within 200 meters of facilities offering abortion services. Docherty was accused of attempting to influence individuals seeking or providing such services—even though she offered help, not coercion.
After a careful review, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service announced they would not proceed with the case. The formal warning issued to Docherty was withdrawn, and authorities agreed to return her sign. However, prosecutors noted that they reserve the right to revisit the matter in the future.
Expressing her relief, Docherty called the decision a broader win for those who value peaceful dialogue. “This is a victory not just for me, but for everyone in Scotland who believes we should be free to hold a peaceful conversation,” she said, adding that “criminalizing kindness has no place in a free society.” Legal counsel Lorcan Price from ADF International agreed, warning that buffer zone laws risk becoming tools to silence non-confrontational expression.
The case has drawn attention internationally. The U.S. State Department praised Scotland’s decision, stating that it “applauds Scotland’s sensible decision to refrain from further legal action” and reaffirmed support for free speech and religious liberty. The outcome highlights the tension between public policy and individual rights—and raises questions about overreach under new buffer zone regulations.
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