hago 11.2285T Anti-abortion campaigner cited by US state department as free speech case found guilty of breaching buffer zone law An anti-abortion campaigner at the centre of a free speech controversy involving the US government has been found guilty of breaching a “buffer zone” outside a Bournemouth abortion clinic, PA Media reports. PA says: A Livia Tossici-Bolt was convicted at Poole magistrates’ court of two charges of breaching the Public Spaces Protection Order on two days in March 2023. The case involved the 64-year-old from Bournemouth holding a sign saying “Here to talk, if you want”. Her case was highlighted by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, & Labour (DRL), a bureau within the US Department of State, which posted a statement on X saying: “We are monitoring her case. It is important that the UK respect and protect freedom of expression.”
District Judge Orla Austin told the court of the defendant: “She lacks insight that her presence could have a detrimental effect on the women attending the clinic, their associates, staff and members of the public.” She added: “I accept her beliefs were truly held beliefs. Although it’s accepted this defendant held pro-life views, it’s important to note this case is not about the rights and wrongs about abortion but about whether the defendant was in breach of the PSPO (Public Spaces Protection Order).” Earlier this week the Telegraph reported a claim that US objections to this prosecution were holding up the proposed UK/US trade deal. But Jonathan Reynolds, the business secretary, said this case was not part of the trade talks he was involved in.
Fuck you Gilead, we'll prosecute this abusive fuck you've sent over to harm the Women of this land like you've harmed the Women of America
Take your rapey, evangelical ideology back to Trumpland you disgusting fascist. 😡
#LiviaTossiciBolt #Abortion #UKPOL #Ukpolitics
