Protesters rally for sick infant as U.K. hospital reports threats

LONDON — Protesters who want critically ill British baby Charlie Gard to receive an experimental medical treatment rallied Sunday, while hospital officials say emotions are running so high in the case that they have received death threats.

A group of about 20 activists supporting Gard’s parents, including some from the United States, gathered Sunday afternoon outside the High Court in London where legal proceedings will resume Monday with new medical evidence expected.

Charlie has a rare genetic condition and suffers from brain damage. His case, which pits his parents’ wishes in conflict with the views of doctors treating him, has generated international attention, including from Pope Francis and President Donald Trump.

His parents are fighting to get him more medical care, but Great Ormond Street Hospital officials say the experimental treatment won’t work and will just cause the 11-month-old more suffering.

They argue that his life support should be turned off and he should receive palliative care.

Hospital chairwoman Mary MacLeod said the London police have been contacted because of numerous threats received by the hospital’s employees.

“Staff have received abuse both in the street and online,” she said. “Thousands of abusive messages have been sent to doctors and nurses whose life’s work is to care for sick children. Many of these messages are menacing, including death threats.”

Charlie’s parents, Chris Gard and Connie Yates, have lost all previous court cases, including one before the European Court of Human Rights, which were designed to force the hospital in London to let them bring their son to the United States for an experimental treatment.