TORONTO, Feb 4 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Linda Gibbons, Ken Campbell and Anneliese Steden were arraigned in court on February 2, on charges of obstructing a peace officer. Outside the courthouse a pro-life picket was held with supporters witnessing for the preborn and praying for the success of the pro-life defendants. The three defendants pleaded not guilty.
Blaise McLean, the pro-life lawyer defending Linda, objected to the charge of obstruction. By refusing to charge the pro-lifers with the more serious charge of breaking the injunction, the Crown surreptitiously deprives Linda and the other pro-life defendants from challenging the constitutionality of the injunction. The pro-lifers, confident of success with a constitutional challenge, are taking on this injustice.
While Mrs. Steden and Rev. Campbell are out on bail, Linda remains in prison since she refuses to sign a bail condition promising not to return to the abortuary to protest on the day of release. The trial has been remanded until March 1st.
LifeSite has learned that the judge in the case, Gordon Hackburn is the same judge who made the controversial 1993 ruling which legalized lap dancing in Toronto strip clubs until his ruling was overturned by the Supreme Court of Canada in 1997. Pro-lifers hope that his anti-family reputation will not negatively influence his decision in the case against the pro-lifers.
For more information see the Linda Gibbons archive page.