On trial for speaking freely

  [The Heritage Foundation] Dear friend, It’s no longer unimaginable to think you could face a criminal trial for proclaiming values contrary to left-wing orthodoxy. Take, for example, what’s happening in Finland. In three weeks, Finnish parliamentarian, medical doctor, Christian and grandmother, Päivi Räsänen, will stand trial a second time for “agitation against a minority group.” Her crime? Posting a tweet questioning her church’s support for the LGBT “Pride 2019” event in Helsinki and attaching an image of Bible scripture. She faces another trial this month despite her unanimous acquittal in 2022. [Support Päivi]() Thirteen hours of police interrogation and one highly politicized trial have not been enough for the government’s Prosecutor General, keen on setting an example... The prosecution dove deeper and investigated a 2004 pamphlet on marriage written by Päivi for her church and a 2019 radio show discussing similar matters. She was charged for both in addition to the tweet. Her fundamental right to free speech is threatened in court, with the prosecution demanding censorship and punishment. Thankfully, Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) International is supporting her legal defense and has done so since 2019. ADF International will stand with Päivi until the very end to protect her rights and the right of every person to peacefully express their deeply held beliefs. But they can’t do it alone. Not only is the public defense of faith in trouble for American Christians, but also for brothers and sisters around the world. ADF International is crowdfunding Päivi’s defense for her upcoming trial at the Helsinki Court of Appeals on August 31st, giving the Daily Signal audience the opportunity to play a pivotal part in supporting her. [JOIN THE CROWDFUNDER]() Radical progressivism seeks to weaponize the law to suppress basic human rights, but ADF International is unwavering in its commitment to victory for Päivi, for Christians being targeted, and for all whose freedoms are under threat. Societies can never progress away from freedom of speech. Will you support Päivi? [GIVE TODAY]() Humbly, The Daily Signal Team P.S. [Watch House Rep. Chip Roy reiterate his support for Päivi. Will you support her, too?]()   Add [morningbell@heritage.org]() to your address book to ensure that you receive emails from us. You are subscribed to this newsletter as {EMAIL}. If you want to receive other Heritage Foundation newsletters, or opt out of this newsletter, [please click here to update your subscription.]() -