The pro-life group that was recently a victim of an assault in Columbus, Ohio after setting up pro-life signs on the streets there has been victimized again. This time, police in Jackson, Mississippi stood by and did nothing while abortion activists destroyed their signs.
Yesterday, the pro-life group Created Equal visited Jackson, Mississippi, where the state’s last abortion clinic is located. “Upon arrival, and despite several attempts by Created Equal’s Mark Harrington to convince police to intervene, our property was stolen while police stood idly by,” the group tells LifeNews.
“The City of Jackson is required to guarantee everyone the right to free speech, not assist our opposition in interfering in the exercise of our speech. Police allowed interference of our constitutionally protected first amendment activity. This kind of outrageous interference of free speech will not be allowed to stand,” Harrington said.
Harrington told LifeNews that his group filed charges against Mike Peters, the perpetrator shown in the video and image left, who is the owner of Fondren Corner, across the street from the abortion clinic.
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“Unfortunately, Jackson has a reputation that precedes itself. The Jackson Police Department has a long history of harassment against and targeting of pro-life advocates,’ Harrington said. “In 2006, Pro-Life Mississippi and some of its members sued several police officers for their pattern of violating the rights of pro-life speakers.”
He added: ” In, 2008, the City signed a consent decree, agreeing that they would no longer interfere with the free speech rights of these advocates, and also agreeing to mandatory annual training for police officers in respect for the First Amendment rights of all speakers. However, as soon as the Court’s jurisdiction over the decree expired, Jackson police resumed their pattern of singling out pro-life speakers for harassment and false arrests. Pro-life advocates in Jackson are preparing to sue the City for its violation of their civil rights.”
The video of the incident appears below:
