by Admin
Pain Relief Advocate Pays High Price for Free Speech
Sep 3, 2009
Author Unknown
wibw.com
The president of the Pain Relief Network has been an outspoken advocate for chronic pain sufferers.
TOPEKA, KS – A federal court in Topeka, Kansas today imposed a $200 per day fine upon nationally renowned pain relief activist Siobhan Reynolds for her refusal to comply with a pair of subpoenas secured in an effort to chill her constitutionally protected speech, as well as an additional $200 per day fine upon her advocacy organization, the Pain Relief Network (PRN).
The subpoenas are part of an ongoing grand jury investigation related to the federal prosecution of Dr. Stephen Schneider and his wife, Linda, who operated a medical practice specializing in pain relief and whose prosecution Reynolds has publicly condemned. Reynolds is represented by the American Civil Liberties Union in the case.
“The constitutional rights of Ms. Reynolds, and of all Americans, must not come with a price tag. The court effectively decreed that she may remain free to exercise her First Amendment rights, but it will cost $400 a day,” said Jay Rorty, an attorney with the ACLU who represented Reynolds in court today. “While Ms. Reynolds is relieved not to have to go to prison today, the government is still imposing an unreasonable choice between exercising her right to free speech and going bankrupt.”
Today’s court order requires that both Reynolds and PRN pay fines of $200 per day for as long as she refuses to comply with the subpoenas – a penalty that will quickly bankrupt Reynolds and PRN.
http://www.wibw.com/nationalnews/headlines/57108922.html
As I’ve read in more than one place lately, to be accused by this unethical, out-of-control DOJ (which is now commonly referred to as the “Department of inJustice:) is to be destroyed, innocent or not. I’ll hope, Siobhan, that you will prove the exception to the rule! When even this agency ignores the Constitution so routinely, lies and knowingly convicts innocent people, something evil has happened in our government. I hope your ACLU defenders remember is that Evil hates light. Call on me for anything I can do.Ian
As I’ve read in more than one place lately, to be accused by this unethical, out-of-control DOJ (which is now commonly referred to as the “Department of inJustice:) is to be destroyed, innocent or not. I’ll hope, Siobhan, that you will prove the exception to the rule! When even this agency ignores the Constitution so routinely, lies and knowingly convicts innocent people, something evil has happened in our government. Something I hope your ACLU defenders remember is that Evil hates light. Call on me for anything I can do.Ian