- Washington voices support after authorities back down from prosecuting grandmother arrested under Scotland’s “buffer zone” law
- Rose Docherty, 75, held a sign reading “coercion is a crime, here to talk, only if you want”
GLASGOW (18 August 2025) – The United States Department of State has welcomed Scotland’s decision to drop legal action against 75-year-old grandmother Rose Docherty, who was arrested earlier this year for holding a sign offering peaceful conversation near Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth II Hospital.
In a statement to The Telegraph, a State Department spokesperson said:
“We applaud Scotland’s sensible decision to refrain from further legal action against Rose Docherty.
“The United States stands with all those fighting for free speech and religious liberty.”
Docherty, a lifelong Glaswegian, was arrested and later issued a formal warning in February 2025 after standing quietly within 200 metres of the hospital – an area covered by Scotland’s new “buffer zone” law. Her sign read: “Coercion is a crime, here to talk, only if you want.”
““We applaud Scotland’s sensible decision to refrain from further legal action against Rose Docherty.
The law prohibits harassment, intimidation, or attempts to influence somebody’s decision to access an abortion facility. Despite engaging in none of these activities, Docherty was arrested and issued with a formal warning, which would have required her to admit wrongdoing and refrain from similar actions in the future.
Docherty refused to accept the warning, maintaining that she had broken no law. This week, the Procurator Fiscal confirmed the case has been dropped and the warning withdrawn.
Authorities also agreed to return her sign.
Reacting to the decision, Rose Docherty said:
“This is a victory not just for me, but for everyone in Scotland who believes we should be free to hold a peaceful conversation.
“I stood with love and compassion, ready to listen to anyone who wanted to talk. Criminalising kindness has no place in a free society.”
Concerns about the buffer zones legislation escalated earlier this year when the law’s architect, Green Party MSP Gillian Mackay, admitted in a BBC interview that even visible prayer in a private home could be considered an offence if seen from within a buffer zone.
Lois McLatchie Miller, Scottish spokesperson for ADF International, which supported Rose Docherty’s defence, said:
“Every Scot has the right to speak freely and to offer compassionate conversation without fear of prosecution.
“It’s vital for allies to stand together in defence of this fundamental freedom, and we welcome the outpouring of support Rose has received both at home and abroad, including from the United States, which is a key voice for the protection of free speech worldwide.”
ADF International will continue supporting individuals like Docherty, defending their right to peacefully express beliefs without fear of criminalisation.
