Anti Abortion Protesters: Small Minds

Recently in Scotland, an anti-abortion group staged an arrest of an elderly woman. The case has not gone to trial. It is an attempt to overturn a law against harassing women entering hospitals for abortions. We have seen versions of this in the U.S. for decades.

A law was passed in Scotland which places limits on how much anti-abortion protestors can harass women entering a hospital for an abortion. In the U.S. these shameless protestors shout "prayers" at women. They approach them wanting to tell them of the "sin" they are about to do. 

In Scotland, an elderly grandmother of selected to be arrested at a hospital that performs abortions. She knew the law prohibited approaching and harassing women within a specified distance from the facility. She carried a sign which said she was not protesting but if a woman wanted to talk with her about abortion she was available. This is not unlike the U.S. practice of shouting prayers. Being arrested, of course, gave the woman and her sponsoring anti-abortion group the excuse to play the victim.

When it comes to "free speech," we all know there are some limits. One cannot stand up in a crowded theater and shout, "FIRE FIRE." Can, however, this same person stand up and shout, "I smell smoke. I am not saying there is a fire. But I'm running out of here right now. Get out of my way." That is the kind of "free speech" anti-abortionists claim they have the right to practice. It is to approach strangers who may be apprehensive and troubled and tell them they are terrible people and are about to commit a sin or commit murder. Should the rest of us support these protesters when they play with the minds of women under stress?

It seems to me, anti-abortion protesters should be interest in bigger issues, like why do women need abortions. If they solved that there would be no women entering clinics. Time will tell whether the courts in Scotland will protect the bully of lady or women seeking abortions. In the meantime, we can see small minds with petty concerns doing their thing.