Pro lifers found guilty for protesting

Two prominent activists convicted for entering the "bubble zone" outside local abortion clinic

Cissy Von Dehn (right) in handcuffs after June 19,2009
protest outside a Commercial Drive abortion mill

Pro-lifers have been dealt a serious blow with the convictions of two prominent activists in Vancouver. The decision was handed down on Monday to Don Spratt and Cissy von Dehn. They were initially arrested on June 19, 2009 for entering "the Bubble Zone" outside an abortion mill on Commercial Drive.

Spratt and Dehn were handing out copies of copies of the Provincial Government's Access to Abortion Services Act or more commonly the "Bubble Zone Law." They also wore sandwich board signs warning those around to be careful "you can be arrested under Bill 48."

The controversial law states that vulnerable women have a right to obtain abortion without any interference from protesters. Protesters are not allowed within thirty feet of any abortion centre.

Mr. Spratt and Mrs. von Dehn will appeal this decision. Both are sentenced to two years of probation with Spratt receiving $1000 fine.

Before sentencing Mr. Spratt made a statement quoting Prime Minister Diefenbaker when he introduced the Canadian Bill of Rights in 1960.

“I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think is right, free to oppose what I believe is wrong, free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.”

He also quoted Abraham Lincoln in regards to right and wrong.

“Abraham Lincoln said, ‘You cannot have the right to do what is wrong’, and ‘If slavery is not wrong, then nothing is wrong.’ I say, 'If abortion is not wrong, nothing is wrong; and we cannot have a right to choose to do wrong'.”