Abortion Protestor’s Arrest and Release Raises Questions About Free Speech Limits

Holding a sign critical of abortion—and debating the issue with students—was enough to get Paul Burns arrested, handcuffed, and taken to police cells. Burns was charged with public disorder, leaving him with the prospect of a $1,000 fine and a criminal record. According to police, he had been speaking with “an intent to offend.” Ahead of his trial, the charges were upgraded to “disorderly behaviour likely to cause other people to behave violently.” On a Sunday in March, Burns was standing on Lambton Quay—a busy street in Wellington—outside a branch of Lululemon, holding a sign that said, “$100 to the 1st person who proves that slavery is more evil than abortion.”...