TORONTO, April 24, 2012 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Linda Gibbons will be tried on a charge of disobeying a court order on Thursday, April 26 at 10 a.m. in room 504 of the College Park courthouse at Yonge and College Streets in downtown Toronto.
Linda’s friend and supporter John Bulsza has asked that as many people as possible show up for the trial, “to fill the court house,” to show their support for Linda and her heroic stand for protection for the lives of the unborn.
Linda was charged and imprisoned once again on December 16, 2011 in Toronto, following the same pattern of events that have seen her put behind bars for about nine of the past 17-plus years. See the video of her arrest here.
The charge of disobeying a court order was laid following her appearance outside the Morgentaler “Clinic” abortion site on Hillsdale Avenue on that cold Friday morning, walking back and forth on a public sidewalk with her trademark placard, “Why mom? When I have so much love to give.” She smiled at passersby, waved to children, and handed a pamphlet to those who would take it. She attempted to speak to those who appeared to be clients entering the site.
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The abortion facility is protected by a civil court-imposed “bubble zone” that prohibits pro-life activity of any kind within its boundaries.
The Crown had withdrawn an accompanying charge of obstructing a police officer with the explanation that “there was no reasonable probability of conviction” on it.
Linda remained imprisoned at the Vanier Centre for Women in Milton pending her trial as she has consistently refused to sign bail conditions that require her to stay away from abortion sites.
Linda was acquitted of a charge of disobeying a court order on November 4, 2011 when Justice Alphonse T. Lacavera ruled that the injunction under which she was arrested was outdated.
There is a slight chance that the trial will be precluded. The Supreme Court of Canada is considering submissions by Linda’s lawyers, given on December 14, 2011, that her odyssey through the criminal courts for violations of injunctions laid down in civil courts was an improper use of the criminal justice system.
The various injunctions under which Linda has been charged over the years have been enacted by civil courts; however, she has always been charged and convicted criminally. The Supreme Court will decide whether this is a proper procedure.
Details of Linda’s scheduled trial:
Date: Thursday, April 26th, 2012
Where: Room 504, College Park Court House, Yonge and College Streets, Toronto,
Time: 10:00am