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Criminal charges dropped against pro-life activist
Sheila Nonato
January 16, 2009
TORONTO - An Ontario court judge has dismissed an obstruction charge against long-time pro-life activist Linda Gibbons.
Gibbons, 60, had been held in custody at the Vanier Centre for Women in Milton, Ont., since Oct. 8 when she was arrested for picketing outside the Scott abortion clinic in downtown Toronto. She was released from prison on Jan. 12. Her original charge had been for obstructing a peace officer.
Gibbons, 60, had been held in custody at the Vanier Centre for Women in Milton, Ont., since Oct. 8 when she was arrested for picketing outside the Scott abortion clinic in downtown Toronto. She was released from prison on Jan. 12. Her original charge had been for obstructing a peace officer.
“When I’m in front of an abortion clinic, I’m not there to break the injunction. I’m there to represent life,” Gibbons told The Register after her release.
Last year, Gibbons was arrested for obstructing justice on July 31 and released from jail at the end of September. In freeing her, Justice S. Ford Clements ruled that disobeying a court order did not constitute obstructing justice.
Over the last 15 years since the injunction has been in place, Gibbons has spent 78 months in jail and has been arrested about 13 times. The arrests have come because she continues to violate a 1994 Ontario Supreme Court order that prohibits counselling and pro-life outreach within 18 metres of the Scott Clinic.
Last year, Gibbons was arrested for obstructing justice on July 31 and released from jail at the end of September. In freeing her, Justice S. Ford Clements ruled that disobeying a court order did not constitute obstructing justice.
Over the last 15 years since the injunction has been in place, Gibbons has spent 78 months in jail and has been arrested about 13 times. The arrests have come because she continues to violate a 1994 Ontario Supreme Court order that prohibits counselling and pro-life outreach within 18 metres of the Scott Clinic.