Posted on 10/26/2024 6:10:38 AM PDT by MtnClimber
Citizens in the UK have been arrested, prosecuted, and convicted for silently praying outside abortion clinics. Even organizing pro-life meetings in your own home may be a criminal offense.
Isabel Vaughan-Spruce was arrested for silently praying outside an abortion clinic in Birmingham, United Kingdom. (ADF UK)
Emma has strong feelings about abortion: She wears T-shirts that say things like “Pro-life and Proud.” A devout Catholic, she is a trustee of a pro-life activism group and regularly holds planning meetings at her flat in Edinburgh, Scotland. On her way to work at an office in the center of town, the 24-year-old passes the abortion facility at nearby Chalmers Hospital. Sometimes, she prays with rosary beads as she walks by.
But now she’s worried she could get arrested in her neighborhood—for wearing that T-shirt, for holding those meetings, or even for praying in her head.
On October 4, Emma, who asked not to be named, got a letter from the Scottish government. Addressed “Dear Resident,” its purpose was to alert her that her home, due to its proximity to the hospital, is now in an abortion censorship zone.
This is due to the UK’s brand-new “Safe Access” law, which came into effect September 24 and made it a criminal offense to do anything within 200 meters of an abortion facility that could “influence” someone’s decision to access, provide, or facilitate an abortion. In the Scottish government’s letter, Emma read that even “activities in a private place (such as a house) within the area could be an offence if they can be seen or heard within the Zone and are done intentionally or recklessly.”
“You can report a group or an individual that you think is breaking the law,” the letter added, before providing instructions on how to do so.
Emma couldn’t believe her eyes. The law carries a maximum fine of £10,000 (over $13,000). In June, it passed in The Scottish Parliament by 118 votes to one, following in the footsteps of Northern Ireland, which became the first country in the UK to enforce abortion censorship legislation last year. The rest of the UK is doing the same: On October 31, a similar law will come into effect in England and Wales; it was passed by Parliament in 2023. In these countries, the fine will be unlimited.
All of this legislation codifies—on a national level—a trend that has been creeping across the UK for a decade. Ten years ago, in 2014, Parliament empowered local councils to create and police their own antisocial behavior laws. The intention was to enhance “the professional capabilities and integrity of the police.” But since 2018, five UK districts have used these powers to aggressively limit what people can do, say, and even think, near abortion clinics. I spoke to four people who have fallen afoul of these restrictions, and a disturbing pattern emerged.
In November 2022, Adam Smith-Connor, now 51, a physiotherapist and veteran, was interrogated by local authorities in Bournemouth, on the south coast of England, which had recently introduced an abortion censorship zone. His alleged crime was silently praying for three minutes while 50 meters from an abortion clinic. When council officers asked, “What is the nature of your prayer?” he replied: “I am praying for my son who is deceased,” referring to his unborn child that he and his then-girlfriend decided to abort two decades ago.....SNIP
Yeah, it’s okay to stand there and pray silently to the Creator, but if move three feet to your left it’s against the law.
There’s more to this abortion position than is apparent.
I wonder if the abortion clinic is Epstein’s Island or Puff Daddy’s parties for the proles.
Once you get a lady initiated, they in your gang forever.
“You are under arrest for praying outside an abortion clinic.”
“Please let me finish. Allah Akbar”
“Oh sorry. Never mind”
It’s interesting that abortion is anathema to Islam.
How do they know you are praying if it’s silent?
Yes, those laws are ridiculous. The UK is one step from outlawing Christianity entirely.
“Coming to a neighbothood near you?”
Isn’t it already here?
So much for private property rights.
And no holding Bible Studies in your own home if you want.
How does a person standing there silently influence access?
What’s the big deal?... it’s not like those living under the boot of the English courts aren’t used to it.... go read a little history and take a gander at Irish Penal Laws that the English passed to destroy the Irish...... Catholics could not possess weaponry and arms, could not study law or medicine, and could not speak or read Gaelic or play Irish music, own a horse worth more that 5 pounds, have Catholic services, speak or write against the Crown, could not vote,serve in the Army or go to schools....if convicted, they could hang you, cut you in four parts and remove your genitals.... but hey, the Brits are civilized.
It’s time for the Spirit of 1776 to come home to England.
Merry old England has come a long way since the Magna Carta!
As long as their 501c3 is protected.
Trump 47 Dat 2 agenda: Nuke Londonstan.
And queers can worship the devil by painting the streets rainbow colors, but don’t you dare drive on them.
The brits need a new A$$ kicking to give them a reality check...
Here’s how to stop this nonsense.
Take pictures of people who are walking or around less than 200 meters from the abortion clinic. Take a lot of rapid fire pictures of people and you’re sure to get some of them blinking or with their eyes closed and looking like they’re praying. Send them into the government/police.
Correct answer:
"I'm always praying."
Well said.
Wow. Forty years later and now Thought Crime is real.
And the UK has become “Oceaina’’.
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