Posted on 04/17/2020 12:43:10 PM PDT by Morgana
Yet another pro-lifer has experienced harassment for prayerful, peaceful witness on the sidewalks outside of an abortion facility; this time, in Hagerstown, Maryland.
On April 2, 2020, Wanda King and several other pro-lifers praying outside Hagerstown Reproductive Health were approached by city police officers who accused them of violating the states stay-at-home order, even though less than 10 people were gathered and all were maintaining social distancing guidelines. At that time, the officers threatened King with a $5,000 for her supposed violation. Before any citation could be issued, a friend drove King home.
One of the pro-lifers then contacted Maryland State Delegate Neil Parrott about the situation, who consulted with the Governors Task Force, which announced that it was lawful for the pro-lifers to pray outside of the abortion facility so long as they continued to walk around the block while staying six feet away from each other and other people. An email with this information was sent to the Hagerstown Police Chief, along with three follow-up emails. They received no response.
READ: Sidewalk counselors nearly blocked from exercising free speech due to COVID-19 lockdown
Five days later, police officers once again showed up while King and one other person were peacefully, legally praying. Faced with a potential citation once again, King sought legal help from the Thomas More Society, a national not-for-profit law firm dedicated to restoring respect in law for life, family, and religious liberty, according to their website. In a statement provided to Live Action News via email, the Thomas More Society commented:
We stand fully prepared to defend the constitutional rights of Ms. King and other pro-life individuals to be outside Hagerstown Reproductive Health to exercise their freedom of speech and religion while practicing social distancing, and we are ready to take immediate court action if necessary. As long as the abortion mill is engaging in business as usual, our clients have a right to be outside on the public sidewalk witnessing to life and offering alternative healthcare options, while of course maintaining social distancing and gathering size limitations.
On April 14th, the Thomas More Society sent a demand letter to the Hagerstown Mayor, Police Chief, and City Attorney demanding that the city of Hagerstown verify immediately Kings and others right to pray and witness peacefully without further harassment.
Unfortunately, King isnt the only pro-lifer harassed for engaging in legal activity outside of an abortion facility, but recent precedent is certainly in her favor. Earlier this week, Live Action News reported that the city of San Francisco will now allow pro-lifers to pray outside of abortion facilities.
Maryland ping,
But if she was coming there for an abortion....
I figure that as long as they’re physically distancing from each other and the — um, customers, it’s perfectly fine for them to be out there.
Maryland “Freak State” PING!
So it’s okay to leave your house to kill your baby but not okay to leave your house to protest that killing. Got it.
Logic and mercy remains absent in this world.
So its okay to leave your house to kill your baby but not okay to leave your house to protest that killing. Got it.
= = =
Pray from inside your house, and stream it.
Then wait for SWAT.
I would NEVER live in that commie state!
There’s a few good people here.
Again, the police are you enemy, folks. They willingly fall in line again and again and do whatever their tyrant masters demand of them.
JoMa
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