USA: A LANDMARK CASE INTO DOCTOR-ASSISTED SUICIDE AT THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT BRINGS OUT DEMONSTRATORS FOR THIS EMOTINALLY CHARGED ISSUE
Record ID:
337785
USA: A LANDMARK CASE INTO DOCTOR-ASSISTED SUICIDE AT THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT BRINGS OUT DEMONSTRATORS FOR THIS EMOTINALLY CHARGED ISSUE
- Title: USA: A LANDMARK CASE INTO DOCTOR-ASSISTED SUICIDE AT THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT BRINGS OUT DEMONSTRATORS FOR THIS EMOTINALLY CHARGED ISSUE
- Date: 8th January 1997
- Summary: WASHINGTON, D.C. UNITED STATES (JANUARY 8, 1997) (RTV - ACCESS ALL) 1. SV DEMONSTRATORS IN FAVOUR OF DOCTOR ASSISTED SUICIDE WALKING PAST THE SUPREME COURT 0.07 2. SV WOMAN IN A WHEELCHAIR 0.14 3. SLV WOMAN WITH A BANNER AGAINST THE CASE 3. SLV SUPPORTERS OF ASSISTED SUICIDE 0.20 4. SV WOMAN WITH BANNER SAYING "PITY IS KILLING ME" 0.27 5. SV MAN IN A WHEELCHAIR 0.33 6. MCU CAROL CLEIGH, DISABILITY RIGHTS ACTIVIST SAYING SHE IS TERRIFIED OF THE OUTCOME OF THIS CASE AS IT WILL CHANGE THE LAW, AND EVEN THE ACCEPTANCE IN THE NETHERLANDS IS NOT WRITTEN INTO THE CONSTITUTION THERE SO THIS WOULD BE WORSE THAN WHAT HAPPENED IN NAZI GERMANY (ENGLISH) 0.56 7. SLV/MCU DEMONSTRATORS SINGING (2 SHOTS) 1.20 8. MCU MARVIN CRAMER, SUPPORTER OF THE RIGHT FOR ASSISTED SUICIDE AND MEMBER OF THE HEMLOCK SOCIETY SAYING WHAT HE WANTS IS FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD A GOOD LIFE AND ARE DYING IN PAIN LIKE HE HAS WITNESSED WITH RELATIVES SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO DIE WITH DIGNITY (ENGLISH) 1.44 9. SV WOMEN IN WHEELCHAIT SHOUTING "NOT DEAD YET" 1.50 10. SV MAN IN A WHEELCHAIR WITH A BANNER "I WANT TO LIVE" 1.59 11. SLV "NOT DEAD YET" BANNERS IN FRONT OF THE SUPREME COURT 2.07 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
- Embargoed: 23rd January 1997 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: WASHINGTON, D.C. UNITED STATES
- City:
- Country: USA
- Reuters ID: LVAF5CWQ4PKV3A85VT4XK5L1YKJS
- Story Text: INTRO: A landmark case into doctor-assisted suicide at the United States Supreme Court brought out large numbers of demonstrators for this emotionally charged issue.
Demonstrators in wheelchairs braved the bitter cold outside the United States Supreme Court on Wednesday (January 8) carrying banners saying "Not dead yet". A smaller group from the Hemlock Society intermingled with their banners advocating the freedom to choose a painless death if terminally ill.
Inside the court two landmark cases were beginning which raised the issues of whether a state law which prosecutes anyone who aids another person to attempt suicide deny the rights of mentally-competent patients to choose the manner in which they want to die.
Carol Cleigh, a disability rights activist said she was scared of what the result of the cases could mean for disabled people like herself. Cleigh's main concern was despite her acknowledgement that doctor-assisted suicide takes place in many instances, it should not become permitted into law as it may become abused.
Marvin Cramer of the Hemlock Society explained that what he wanted from the law was for people who were mentally competent to be able to die without pain in what he called "dignity".
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